Becoming A Wheelchair User
About my book, and my why for writing it!
When I first became a wheelchair user, unexpectedly, overnight, I realised something pretty quickly: there’s a lot of information—but not much of it is practical or honest.
That’s why I wrote Becoming A Wheelchair User.
Notes: All information within this book was correct at time of printing and is subject to change without notice. It is also localised to my geographical location of South West of England, UK.
This book is written from personal experience, so there may be parts that you disagree with or have had different experiences of, for which any mistakes are my own. I have just tried to be as honest as I can be from my own experience.
My experience is becoming a wheelchair user later in life, rather than being born with a disability.
I have not delved into the way you can become disabled, as simply there are so many different ways it would be difficult to write about them all, especially those that I haven’t got lived experience with. As a result, this book is more about specific topics than the cause of disability - therefore there may be some chapters that are not relevant to you.
Please always be responsible for your own actions, and I will not be held liable to any actions you take following reading this book.
Becoming Disabled
There are two ways into disability; you’re either born with a disability, or you acquire one through traumatic injuries, trauma, health issues/conditions or deterioration in health and age. You may also become disabled and a wheelchair user temporarily (with an injury for example).
Not all disabilities equal becoming a wheelchair user, not all wheelchair users are paralysed and not all wheelchair users are unable to stand. Ambulatory wheelchair users are able to stand and sometimes walk but they use a wheelchair to enable them. It may be to save energy, prevent pain increases or allow them to participate in a day out (along with lots more reasons). For me, it’s important to make these two points clear, to avoid assumptions and to help non wheelchair users understand.
If you are born able-bodied, you never think it’ll happen to you.
But realistically, it’s a case of when, not if.
I became a full time wheelchair user aged 29 which came as both a shock and tragedy so I wanted to write about the things I have learnt over the last few years that I hope will help others, no matter how small.
My whole life changed overnight but over time, I have learnt that there is still a life out there, and it is possible to participate in events, going places, sports and more.
Sometimes adaptations are needed, but it absolutely is still possible.
I hope I can also show those who are supporting those of us who are disabled, what is out there as in, places, hobbies, support and more. I do also hope it is realised in this book just how complex being disabled can be.
It is important to note that when you are or become disabled, in any way, it affects everyone in your life; partner, family, friends, work colleagues. There will be changes that happen out of your control, and I hope I can reiterate in this book that changes may and will happen, but you are still you, a human.
You are still worthy of love, friendship, education, employment and fun.
I hope I can show those in their darkest hours that there is hope and a life out there for them. This book is for everyone - wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users; in the hope it helps everyone understand reality, and offer preparation ideas, just in case.
Each short chapter of my book aims to give you my experience or knowledge on that topic. As always, everyone has different experiences, but I have tried to keep this as real to me as it has been.
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