Vital Link No. 70 Winter 2017 | Page 4

Sit Down! By Dr. Mike Townsend, Chair of Trustees "Mike, for goodness’ sake, SIT DOWN!" I have learned a lot since Through the Roof began, and Sheena's command was a learning experience right at the start. I was engaged in a deep discussion with her. Sheena was sitting in a wheelchair, and I was towering over her. I abruptly learnt that it is much better to sit down to chat with folk in wheelchairs rather than addressing them from a lofty position. I’d never thought about this before! In fact that is often the issue. Much of Through the Roof's work over these twenty years has been to help people think, change attitudes, and alter practice. Sheena got me up to speed in a friendly way. So often we get a bit defensive about our disabilities - particularly the ways Mike speaks at our 20th anniversary celebration people talk or relate to us. paralysed! He needed healin