W L
OFF THE CUFF
BY SWASIE TURNER , MBE
‘ AMBASSADORIAL ’ CHILDREN CAN CERTAINLY TEACH ADULTS ABOUT DISABILITY AWARENESS
Like the rest of us , when I was a fully able bodied person , I just took life for granted as I pottered along through my daily life and routines .
However , due to an horrific act of gratuitous violence as I performed my police duties out on the angry streets , I was suddenly and traumatically transformed into living life on the seat of my pants in a wheelchair . Oh how life became so utterly different . What a completely different scenario lay before me .
Many friends , even some relatives appeared in a totally different light . I found that many people were not quite as kind and considerate as they once were . I found that simple things were now difficult things . Mounting pavements , entering narrow doorways and negotiating my way through shops and restaurants were sometimes nigh impossible . Using public toilets now became an embarrassment if there were no ‘ disabled ’ toilets available . Even when I did manage to find one , my entry was thwarted because I didn ’ t possess a ‘ Radar ’ key ! I couldn ’ t believe just how much my life would have to change to overcome the adversity I was starting to experience . I started to find that people were sometimes extremely rude and insensitive . Having spent a lifetime in the gym and indulging in martial arts , boxing and weightlifting , I was thankfully blessed with reasonably strong arms and upper body strength . This would prove invaluable when I had to propel my 47lb NHS issue casterd wheelchair out and about after attempts to enlist the aid of prosthesis were unsuccessful . The slightest of inclines emphasised how much effort was needed to successfully overcome them . I was amazed to find that pushing across carpets too illustrated just how wheelchair ‘ unfriendly ’ they were , the deeper the pile the more the casters would show their ‘ dissent ’.
As I gradually overcame or ‘ came to terms ’ with the various forms of adversity I realised that there were others who were maybe not as strong or were having much more difficulty than I was so I started to ‘ fight their corner ’. Whenever I came across something which I considered to be blatantly wheelchair unfriendly or a detriment to those suffering any form of physical ( or mental ) difficulty or disability , I would inform and even harass if necessary , the appropriate bodies or authorities , to rectify or eliminate whatever the problem was . This I continue to do with unabated zeal and initiative , even to the point of being a ‘ boat rocker ’ or ‘ loose cannon ’, I care not which , so long as long as I can bring about rectification of a problem suffered by those with a disability .
I have complained bitterly to shop owners , canal authorities and local councils if and when I think my critique is justified to bring about the elimination of problems or physical obstructions which inhibit the disabled fraternity . Many times
I have invoked the wrath of café owners because there is no room for people in wheelchairs to get to toilets or even make to tables . One pregnant lady wheelchair user was asked by an extremely offensive woman , “ What is it you are expecting ”? and then added , “… are you sure it will be alright ”?
I too was once stopped by an equally ignorant and insensitive moron and asked , “ Oh dear what have you been doing ”? The man then instructed his little boy to say hello to the funny man ! Also , it is always the case when people meet those in wheelchairs and wish to enquire about them , they always ask whoever is accompanying them , never the person in the wheelchair , “ How is he today ?” “ What ’ s her name ?” “ Isn ’ t he cold ?” Or , the alternative is to shout at the person , assuming they will understand better ? This is not only grossly offensive ; it is also extremely frustrating and humiliating .
However , there is another side to this type of obnoxious behaviour . A much more kind and considerate side . Where does this come from you may ask ? Well , amazingly , it comes from the younger generations , children and young people , especially those in our schools . I have found that the youngsters ’ interpretation of disability awareness far exceeds that of adults . At no time have I ever been shown discourtesy or lack of consideration during my involvement with them and their schools , and I have now spoken to over 20,500 pupils and students . I have found that youngsters are an asset to their generation , parents and schools . I would love to name each of the schools but ( I am however pleased to say ) there are too many .
My visits to various schools , colleges and academies entail me visiting infant and junior schools as well as numerous colleges to give illustrated renditions of my worldwide fundraising endeavours as I overcome the various adversities of being a disabled person . I have taken part in classroom activities with the youngsters at venues where they have successfully integrated children with various forms of mental or physical difficulties among the mainstream ranks . The success has been phenomenal . I sincerely hope that this caring and considerate younger generation can bring about the education to the adult population which will eventually eliminate the ‘ Does he take sugar ’ syndrome that still prevails . It is hoped this will eradicate the still ongoing selfish and inconsiderate conduct and behaviour of many , and bring about the disability Awareness which will then ensure that the disabled fraternity will be able to get out and about without having to negotiate dangerous and preventive obstacles in public places . Most of which have obviously been created , constructed and installed by the able bodied people among the various authorities .
Swasie Turner , MBE wirrallife . com 11