Independence

Paralympics may mask London’s lack of infrastructure

We moved to Australia from the UK partly because it is a lot easier to get around here outside the home.  Buildings are newer, there’s more space, and generally people seem a bit more willing to help. Of course, this is a skewed view, because I come from London – where everything is old, there’s [...]

Why I harp on about parking

Like many disabled people, I may sound like a stuck record, going on and on about parking. The reason I do is because not being able to park near where you're going has a huge direct, and often indirect, impact on your quality of life if you're disabled. Generally speaking, many disabled people will have [...]

The WheelEasy Beachcomber

Three years ago, when we decided to move to Australia, to live near Sydney in Pearl Beach,  Justine said "I'm buggered if we're going to be in Pearl Beach in 2011, and unable to stroll along it hand in hand together!" So began our search to find a powered wheelchair that could cope with sand, [...]

“The lucky country” ….or is it?

I haven’t written this blog for a few months, because in July I moved to Australia.  I won’t go into detail here about the enormous logistical task it was for my wife, myself (and our cat) to relocate to the other side of the world, but I will say hats off to Justine for bringing [...]

EPLC Dunbar – Ayton – Fenwick: ‘Dependence’

Faced with the option of either having a severe disability for the rest of their lives, or facing a firing squad, it is a fair bet that most able-bodied people would probably chose the firing squad. The finality of this choice is often brought about by fear: a fear of surrendering autonomy and being dependent [...]