The other day my flatmate went outside and found his car with a flat tyre. After around 20 minutes of struggling to get the wheel off, he came in swearing and blaming not having the right equipment rather than admit his “inability” to change the wheel.  

Although I knew he couldn’t perform this task I smiled and said he could use my RACQ gold membership to get a call out. His pride and ego were a little damaged, as this basic task was something he could simply not perform. So roadside assistance came and within minutes his day resumed and his “disability” or ”inability” to change a wheel was supported.

Having a disability, I can relate to the above scenario and essentially, I need support as my flatmate did, otherwise my day cannot start. For me every day I require support to get out of bed, assistance with personal care and more. When I am supported, I then can go on and live a productive life and contribute to my chosen communities in unique ways. 

I appreciate the many people that assist me to live my life and most of these people do not do it for the fanfare or due to being “Special people”. Having a disability, we all have stories of our support staff being talked to in some God or Angel like scenario helping us pitiful souls.  The staff that I hire that are worth their weight in gold, however, feel as uneasy as I do with these accolades thrust upon them for simply doing their job.

So, my dream is a simple dream and one I believe we are getting closer to realizing. I dream of a day my needs are treated similar to that of a non-disabled person's needs. Am I crazy for thinking that we ALL can be supported just like when roadside assistance came out to support my flatmate in changing his tyre? 

No one made a fuss, they got paid and they all went on their way. We all have disabilities or inabilities that need a community of people to attend to them. Am I that naïve to think there cannot be any difference between RACQ supporting my mate and the supports I need? 

Having a strong and supportive community is my most valued asset and why my life progresses. It is also how I am able to be in the driver’s seat of my life. My disability is obvious but my flatmates are not. I get around in a massive electric wheelchair and talk with an iPad. I am a proud disabled woman and would not even hide my disability if I could. My disability has a label, my flatmates' does not however we are not that different when it comes to having our needs met.  

I am blessed I live in a day and age where the people I am close to in my life have reframed the meaning of disability and I am supported to live my best life possible.

About the Writer: 

Marlena Katene is Australia’s most unique entertainment journalist. Having Cerebral Palsy Marlena communicates via an ABC Board and iPad. After completing her Bachelor of Communications degree Marlena has been blessed to interview a wide range of people ranging from Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and even the Dalia Lama. While her journalism focuses mainly on music she also has written on other issues and freelance writes for a variety of magazines. Apart from her journalism work, Marlena is an avid traveller and adventure seeker. In 2016 she became the first person in the world with Cerebral Palsy to Base jump, achieving this feat by jumping off the 421 metre KL Tower in Malaysia. Addicted to travelling she is always seeking the next adventure and place to explore.