‘You just feel so light!’: two wheelchair users
Technology has improved since the 50s and in the last five or six years especially, there has been a lot of progress. But the world is still too often designed without wheelchair users in mind
TL;DR
- Alice Moira received her first wooden wheelchair in the 1950s, which she couldn't propel herself, while Lochlann O’Higgins was introduced to a wheelchair at age two due to brittle bone disease.
- Both individuals faced educational hurdles; Alice struggled with reading due to her eyesight issues related to cerebral palsy, and Lochlann experienced school absences due to hospitalizations.
- Navigating the workplace presented challenges, with Alice making 200 applications for a social work post and Lochlann preferring remote work as a freelance web designer.
- Accessible housing remains an issue, though initiatives like Habinteg have improved options; however, finding affordable and suitable housing is still difficult.
- Sports have played a vital role in building community and confidence for both, with Alice enjoying swimming and Lochlann participating in wheelchair rugby, basketball, and tennis.
- Technological advancements, such as accessible app features and schemes like Motability, have greatly improved mobility and daily life, but accessibility gaps persist, particularly in public transport.
- Both express concern over proposed cuts to disability benefits, fearing a retreat in disability rights despite recent progress.
- They hope for a future with more opportunities for people with disabilities to try new things without immediate judgment based on their condition.