Embracing New Perspectives

It was a chilly night in Sydney last night when I found myself sitting at the bus stop, next to a man who was clearly homeless. He had the hardened look of someone living on the streets. A few years ago, the privileged, middle-class boy in me would have felt a jolt of discomfort, unsure of how to act or even what to say. But this time was different.

I noticed his red spotty non-slip socks, and recognized them instantly from my time in rehab. I leaned over and asked him, “I recognize those socks. They’re from Saint Vincent’s, aren’t they?” They were slip proof socks everyone was “required” to wear. He smiled and said yes. It was a brief conversation, but it was one I wouldn’t have had a year or two ago.

Living with a physical disability has opened my world to lots of new communities. I move more slowly now, which forces me to be more present and more inclined to engage with people I might have once hurried past. It’s a humbling experience that has chipped away at my old prejudices. I’ve found myself connecting with people in mobility scooters in places like Surry Hills, people I might have once avoided. But now, I’m one of them!

In a Facebook group for trading mobility equipment, I’ve noticed a recurring theme: many ads state the mobility scooters have “never been used” or “hardly ever used.” For example, I’ve seen ads for a “Pride Pathfinder 140xl, excellent condition, only used a few times” or a “brand new, never used” Inspire scooter that originally cost $7,000.

I believe there’s a significant mental barrier, especially for older people, when it comes to using a mobility scooter. It’s not just a physical tool; it’s a symbol. My own sister, for example, has a scooter that her daughter bought for her, but she’s never used it. She finds it difficult to accept.

I recently spoke to a colleague whose 85-year-old father is about to lose his driver’s license, yet he refuses to get a scooter. “That’s for old people,” he says. Another friend in his 80s told me he’d rather “just kill myself” than use one.

I understand the resistance. I was skeptical myself. It wasn’t until I took my sister’s scooter for a spin that I realized how liberating it was. After I broke my hip a few months ago, I hired one for a few weeks and was completely convinced. This week, thanks to my NDIS support, my new scooter will finally arrive. It’s an incredible step towards independence.

My disability has made me part of a community that is often marginalized, and I’ve had to confront my own preconceived notions. Despite my ongoing privilege, I’m now connecting with different communities in ways I never would have before.

It’s amazing how quickly your life and attitudes can change.