March 1 is International Wheelchair Day – a celebration of the positive impact that the technology in wheelchairs has on people with mobility issues. However, at the time of my injury, I would’ve struggled to see any positives.
A few years ago I suffered a spinal cord injury through an unfortunate accident. I was taken to hospital and within a few days, the doctors told me the heartbreaking news that I would never walk again.
I was also told I would never be able to feed myself, due to my lack of hand function. It was also unclear whether I’d regain enough lung function to be able to breathe independently.
In an instant, I lost everything. My life turned to a chaotic blur and, for a time, I felt a lack of direction and was completely lost in myself.
As the dust settled on this new situation and my condition stabilised, I began to mentally adjust and work with the remaining function of my body – to move on, and reshape my life in this new way. A large part of this adjustment was using a wheelchair to get around.
Initially, this seemed such a difficult predicament to accept. Needing a wheelchair was only a fraction of what I was coming to terms with, but it was something that was very visible to everybody - and quite profound for me.
I had accepted the fact that this injury was not going anywhere. That adjustment happened relatively quickly, considering the gravity of the change. However, I remember being determined to get my upper body and arms strong enough to push a manual wheelchair.
At every rehab session in the gym, I was fixated on gaining enough strength to easily push a manual chair around, but the extent of my injury meant this simply became impractical as a goal.
I had a fear and aversion to the idea of using a powered wheelchair. I remember leaving the spinal unit at the hospital for the first time with my mates, and being so self-conscious about getting around using this type of mobility aid.
In using a manual chair, I felt like I had failed myself.
It took months for me to realise that it was silly to beat myself up about this. That I needed to make the most of the assistive technology available to live in the best, happiest and most productive way that I can.
Nowadays I can genuinely see so many benefits and appreciate everything that wheelchairs can do to enable me to live in the same way and participate in the same activities that I would do prior to my injury.
Without a wheelchair I couldn’t work, spend time with my family or take my dog for a walk. I couldn’t learn how to drive again, use public transport to explore the community or go out with friends. I couldn’t go to music gigs, restaurants, pubs, sporting events and on bushwalks. I couldn’t participate in sports like adaptive mountain biking and Wheelchair Rugby.
My wheelchair allows me to experience things and have independence that, without such technology, would be impossible. Assistive technology gives so many people, all around the world, freedom and independence and a quality of life that is on par with able-bodied peers.
I’m glad that International Wheelchair Day is marked on the calendar and rightfully celebrated. The advances in assistive technology are astounding – and worth reflecting on.
Of course, as a wheelchair user I have moments that are frustrating. There are gaps in equality of access to places and activities due to mobility constraints in wheelchair and urban design. In situations like these, I choose to advocate for myself and others.
I believe we can aim for improvements and keep opening doors for people with physical disabilities into the future.
If I could give any advice to individuals or families that feel apprehensive about using a wheelchair, I’d say to be kind to yourself. Try to embrace the technology for what it is. Find the combination of design and features that will best support your physical requirements and your desired lifestyle.
Give yourself time and patience, and bring an open mind to the technology that will help you access the world in a way that works for you.
Steven Ralph
Steven Ralph is a tech entrepreneur and brand expert who is passionate about removing barriers for people with accessibility requirements. As an advocate and mentor for community groups and individuals living with spinal cord injury, his vision is to create a future that is inclusive and accessible for everyone.