History of Disability in South Australia

Mine is a long, convoluted journey into loss of self, depression and intense belly button gazing. Yet through this I have become aware of and transcended my harmful thought processes of old. My previously limiting egocentric lifestyle has evolved to one of light-hearted but empathic compassion. Although this is fraught with the occasional pitfall into self doubt, the belief in my self is growing ever-stronger.

I was once a dancer and entertainer working and managing dancers in the nightclubs of Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne. My work took me overseas where I performed in cabaret clubs around Japan for over a year. Before my ‘karmic reckoning’ my work involved roller-skating about nightspots in Melbourne, being a recognised identity and generally having an inordinate amount of fun. I had just passed through the audition process and was in rehearsals before intending to set off with a group of 4 fellow hopefuls to become pop-stars inBeijing, China. In May 1999 I was hit by a car while crossing Nepean Hwy in Melbourne. I sustained severe head trauma and after emerging from a 3 ½ week coma, was moved to a hospital where eventually I was taught to talk, walk, swim, run and ‘be’ again. This took 5 months and I was wheeled around for 8.

It took me 2 years to make the move back to Adelaide after my intensive rehabilitation was over. Upon returning here I fell into a black hole of not being known of by the support agencies. After informing them of my existence, I made the preliminary moves to therapy myself. The ensuing months saw me move into a flat to live independently and dive into a consuming schedule of rehabilitation. Basically I had a non-existent social circle. This was a huge change from my life before where I was eternally the centre of attention. My spare time was spent volunteering for numerous organisations and walking the long distances to get there. In the coming years I moved into studies of various alternative therapies. These were professional trainings but my desire was to learn to heal and expand myself. Through this exploration I have come a hell of a way. I can thank my indomitable determination to be physically able, independent and capable of a ‘normal’ life in my reaching the enviable position I inhabit now. I work with Arts Access in a Project Assistant role. Here I am able to marry the two realms of my experience…. Disability and Arts. My spark of old is slowly building into a smouldering confidence. I am assured of other’s faith and support and in this I find the ability to expand my skills…. to grow. I am excited of what lies ahead of me. What lies around the next corner I do not know but the glow is tantalising and I’m longing to reach it so I can see!