Post by bear on Dec 13, 2019 6:26:49 GMT 7
‘Disability is no longer the death sentence it was’
Over 12 years on from an accident that changed my life forever, I feel extremely lucky to have survived, and to have been born in the time that I was, writes athlete Chad Graham.
I’ve always loved motor cross riding. My first time on a bike was at eight years old. By my teens, I was riding at competitions across Australia and on my way to taking out a state title. After a long day of riding with my friends in 2007, I hopped on my bike for one of the final runs of the day. I came around a corner with a rut. I had hit many before, but this time was different. I was flicked from my bike and instantly knocked unconscious.
When I came to, I was curled up in a ball and surrounded by my family and friends. My dad started to take off my riding boots and that’s when I realised something was very wrong. I couldn’t feel him touching my feet, I couldn’t feel anything.
I knew I’d broken my neck.
I spent two weeks on life support and was eventually transferred to Royal Rehab in Ryde. I sustained a C6 spinal cord injury and stayed there for 10 months to undergo intensive rehabilitation.
Over 12 years on from the accident, I still feel extremely lucky to have survived and have come to the realisation that I am so lucky to have been born in the time that I was.
This year marks Royal Rehab’s 120th anniversary, and I reflect on how different my life would have been if I had sustained my injury back in 1898 before the organisation started.
A century ago, Australians with disability were ignored and locked away from society in institutions. The estimated 18 per cent of Australians living with disabilities today, like me, would have been labelled as ‘incurables’ or ‘invalids’. Places like Royal Rehab were not designed for short term rehabilitation, but as a place you stayed for life.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that the disability rights movement, in Australia and internationally hit a major turning point. The United Nations declared 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons and Disabled Peoples International held their first World Assembly.
This saw the beginning of a cultural shift as disability became more than a diagnosis or a label, but simply one part of a person’s life. Once considered to be a private issue, people with disabilities and their rights had become a matter of public discussion on an international stage.
During my time in rehab, I relearned skills like getting in and out of cars, moving around my living space and doing simple tasks independently. I also participated in Royal Rehab’s Driving Assessment and Training Service, which allow me to get my driver’s license. It was great to be back behind the wheel again.
Today, rehabilitation is not only about helping people return home. It is also about providing opportunities for people to get back to doing the things they love or finding new fulfilling hobbies.
I was introduced to specialised equipment like motorised wheelchairs and learned about different ways I could set up my wheelchair for sport. This led me to channelling my competitive energy from motor cross into wheelchair rugby. Now, I have represented NSW and Australia for wheelchair rugby at the highest level.
Despite how far we’ve come, people with disabilities still face many challenges. It can be especially difficult for those, like myself, who are impacted so early in life, which is why I founded the charity ROLL101 in 2014 to provide assistance and support to young people affected by chronic or terminal illness or catastrophic injuries.
I recently traded in my wheelchair for an adapted buggy to complete a cross country road trip to raise funds and awareness of ROLL101. Starting in Kalgoorlie, I drove through the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland, before finishing my trip in Cobar.
My hope is that I can help inspire at least one young person impacted by serious injury or illness. It is important for young people to see what is possible and the opportunities that are out there for them in today’s world, and I am living proof that people with spinal cord injuries can live full and independent lives.
I am grateful for disability advocates and organisations who paved the way for the rehabilitation services I had access to after my injury. It is because of them that I am able to enjoy my life to the fullest and give back to the community.
www.couriermail.com.au/rendezview/disability-is-no-longer-the-death-sentence-it-was/news-story/39be087cf1d96061d7d8039717c3009f
m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2542597522676933&id=1415019052101458
Over 12 years on from an accident that changed my life forever, I feel extremely lucky to have survived, and to have been born in the time that I was, writes athlete Chad Graham.
I’ve always loved motor cross riding. My first time on a bike was at eight years old. By my teens, I was riding at competitions across Australia and on my way to taking out a state title. After a long day of riding with my friends in 2007, I hopped on my bike for one of the final runs of the day. I came around a corner with a rut. I had hit many before, but this time was different. I was flicked from my bike and instantly knocked unconscious.
When I came to, I was curled up in a ball and surrounded by my family and friends. My dad started to take off my riding boots and that’s when I realised something was very wrong. I couldn’t feel him touching my feet, I couldn’t feel anything.
I knew I’d broken my neck.
I spent two weeks on life support and was eventually transferred to Royal Rehab in Ryde. I sustained a C6 spinal cord injury and stayed there for 10 months to undergo intensive rehabilitation.
Over 12 years on from the accident, I still feel extremely lucky to have survived and have come to the realisation that I am so lucky to have been born in the time that I was.
This year marks Royal Rehab’s 120th anniversary, and I reflect on how different my life would have been if I had sustained my injury back in 1898 before the organisation started.
A century ago, Australians with disability were ignored and locked away from society in institutions. The estimated 18 per cent of Australians living with disabilities today, like me, would have been labelled as ‘incurables’ or ‘invalids’. Places like Royal Rehab were not designed for short term rehabilitation, but as a place you stayed for life.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that the disability rights movement, in Australia and internationally hit a major turning point. The United Nations declared 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons and Disabled Peoples International held their first World Assembly.
This saw the beginning of a cultural shift as disability became more than a diagnosis or a label, but simply one part of a person’s life. Once considered to be a private issue, people with disabilities and their rights had become a matter of public discussion on an international stage.
During my time in rehab, I relearned skills like getting in and out of cars, moving around my living space and doing simple tasks independently. I also participated in Royal Rehab’s Driving Assessment and Training Service, which allow me to get my driver’s license. It was great to be back behind the wheel again.
Today, rehabilitation is not only about helping people return home. It is also about providing opportunities for people to get back to doing the things they love or finding new fulfilling hobbies.
I was introduced to specialised equipment like motorised wheelchairs and learned about different ways I could set up my wheelchair for sport. This led me to channelling my competitive energy from motor cross into wheelchair rugby. Now, I have represented NSW and Australia for wheelchair rugby at the highest level.
Despite how far we’ve come, people with disabilities still face many challenges. It can be especially difficult for those, like myself, who are impacted so early in life, which is why I founded the charity ROLL101 in 2014 to provide assistance and support to young people affected by chronic or terminal illness or catastrophic injuries.
I recently traded in my wheelchair for an adapted buggy to complete a cross country road trip to raise funds and awareness of ROLL101. Starting in Kalgoorlie, I drove through the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland, before finishing my trip in Cobar.
My hope is that I can help inspire at least one young person impacted by serious injury or illness. It is important for young people to see what is possible and the opportunities that are out there for them in today’s world, and I am living proof that people with spinal cord injuries can live full and independent lives.
I am grateful for disability advocates and organisations who paved the way for the rehabilitation services I had access to after my injury. It is because of them that I am able to enjoy my life to the fullest and give back to the community.
www.couriermail.com.au/rendezview/disability-is-no-longer-the-death-sentence-it-was/news-story/39be087cf1d96061d7d8039717c3009f
m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2542597522676933&id=1415019052101458
