Lysterfield resident Ted O'Hare was diagnosed with HSP (hereditary spastic paraplegia) in his late 40s. Now 67, he has written a book about living with the neurological condition, which has slowly reduced his mobility.
The view from my wheelchair takes an irreverent look at how he has navigated life since he started using a wheelchair about 12 years ago.
It includes a chapter on swearing, which research has shown can assist with pain management. Sometimes, the reaction of others causes Ted to resort to profanity.
"I'm not angry - to be honest I find a lot of it quite amusing," he says, of other people's responses to him as a wheelchair user. "Some of the reactions of other people, I could take it as sad but it's not - it's kind of amusing.
"I see my role now as one of educating other people, not necessarily about HSP but about the hassles of being confined to a wheelchair and some of the things you experience that you don't expect to and that perhaps an able-bodied person doesn't notice."
His book looks at how he how he has encountered challenges or adapted to everyday things, including moving around his house, driving, going to the gym, dining out, catching a plane, finding accommodation, camping and playing in his two bands.
"In a lot of respects, it is good we are becoming more aware of how we discuss disabilities and how we refer to people with disabilities," Ted says. "I have been asked by different people if I should be referred to as disabled … my answer has always been that my name is Ted and my preference is to be called Ted."
Recreation for All: A Knox Recreation and Leisure Expo
Knox City Council is hosting a free expo on Wednesday 10 September between 1-5pm for residents of all ages and abilities to discover adaptive sports, accessible recreation activities and inclusive leisure options. The event is both indoors and outdoors, and suitable for those using wheelchairs and other mobility aids
For questions on the event email [email protected] or call 9298 8828 or 9298 8131.
