I am about to become an ambulatory wheelchair user — this is what I want you to know
Sometimes I walk, and this is now how I roll
It wasn’t until this year, pre-COVID, that thanks to the NDIS — I hired a wheelchair for the first time. I had previously hired a manual chair for my friend to push me around Supanova last year, but this was my first powered chair.
It was life-changing. Due to my disability, I can’t walk long distances without needing regular rest breaks. When I would stay in Melbourne, I would be exhausted every night I would collapse into bed. When I would do week-long comedy festival trips — in the end, I would be running on adrenaline. In February it was the first time I was able to be in Melbourne and NOT be tired from walking.
I got the call earlier this week that my wheelchair has arrived. I am so excited; however, I am quite aware of the misconceptions that come with someone who is a wheelchair user. Here — I hope to dispel some of the myths plus tell the truth about what this means for me.
1: By having my own wheelchair, I am taking it away from someone who needs it
No. I am sick of society triggering my internalised ableism. Just because I, and in fact, anyone else, that uses their legs doesn’t mean I don’t need a wheelchair to help me…
