Finding freedom in using a wheelchair | Pete Donnelly | TEDxWarrington
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ก.ค. 2022
- From coffee shops to cargo ships crossing the Caspian Sea, Pete Donnelly shares his adventurous journey in using a wheelchair, and a message of freedom that he believes everyone should hear.
As a wheelchair user of 16 years, Pete Donnelly shares his experience of living a full life using a wheelchair and the difference wheelchair skills have made for him.
Often seen as a symbol of disability, wheelchairs can give people the freedom to get about and live their life. Having the skills to use any piece of equipment is essential. Having the skills to use a wheelchair is no different.
Video production by Prism Studios, Warrington www.prism-studios.co.uk Pete has been a wheelchair user for 15 years and has worked in third sector disability organisations for more than a decade. Pete has a wealth of experience working at local, national and global charities to empower disabled people through skills development, advocacy and campaigning for a more inclusive society.
Whether it’s taking a 71-hour train journey across the Kazakh step, driving through the mountains of Kurdish Iraq or struggling to get on the 344 bus to work because the wheelchair space is full of prams, the challenges of physical disability have given Pete resilience and a unique insight into a world where 1 in 5 people has a disability.
With goals of making societal change happen, Pete aims to empower the disabled community while challenging the antiquated structures that are there to support. This motivated him to form The Wheelchair Skills College with the vision of ensuring that every wheelchair user has access to essential life skills. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
I expect most people don't realise that these skills are NOT routinely taught. If you are assessed as needing a wheelchair, you are usually given the worst one possible, and then left to get on with it. So many people left unable to fulfil their potential. The system is broken and needs fixing. Wheelchair Services around the country should be funding and delivering peer-led wheelchair skills training as a matter of course. And with those skills follows access to the community, better access to employment for those who can work, and most importantly increased confidence.
100% You nailed it!
PS: Meant to include a little tidbit … I was a bagpiper & highland dancer for 30 years before my injury in 2012. Studied at the College of Piping in Glasgow, Scotland. I’ve been saving for an electronic bagpipe/chanter bc I refuse to give up on what makes me ME! Great talk!
Brilliant talk Pete.
Thank you Pete for challenging our views and opening up our minds. A powerful story
I am a severe small fibre peripheral neuropathy sufferer...I love the freedom of my wheelchair! And I hate it to sometimes.
Love this, I recently had a similar experience where I was driving and an older gentleman had a heart attack and drifted into my lane. Running about 85 miles an hour and hit me head on. He ended up passing away. I survived, but I’ve got very horrible injuries. I fractured my spine my pelvis Broke a ton of bones in my feet and ankles both and I can’t move from my arms down. The feeling of not being able to move is something I’ve never experienced before and it’s honestly so scary. I really appreciate you making this video. it makes me feel better about the future and the unknown. Stay strong friend. Thanks again.
Great talk, Pete. I hope this encourages people and healthcare services to fund wheelchair skills training as standard practice.
Mate, you are amazing.
Thanks man
Such an extraordinary story. It just goes to show that it's not what happens to you in life that matters most, but what you do with what happens. I hope Pete's speech inspires 'wheelchair skills' programmes around the world...
Well done man. I'm post 24 years SCI T12 Incomplete. I've been around the block a few times :) I see far to often newly injured SCI individuals assigned heavy, bulky oversized wheelchairs which are nearly impossible to maneuver, learn the basic wheelchair skills (from somewhere) which can prevent the from being independent.
Powerful, persuasive and engaging - signs of an amazing speaker.
What an inspiring story Pete. I'm working on a design project at university about wheelchair users and it's really opened up my mind and made me think about all the things we take for granted! The coffee example made a big impression on me because it's a part of everyday life and I have never thought that such a simple thing could be a problem for many wheelchair users. Good luck in the future!
An amazing talk, Pete - I love the journey you take us on, using your personal story and own questions to encourage us to see wheelchairs in a different way. You had me thinking that everyone has the chance to learn wheelchair skills - it makes your message at the end all the more powerful. Thank you.
Fab job x
well said Pete!
I have met Pete and he is is a down to earth and humble guy. It is great to hear his story and I hope he is able to share wheelchair skills with people far and wide to enable them to maintain their freedom and independence.
I’m new to a wheelchair from a Hypoxic brain injury, this video gives me hope.
Great talk.
Great work my friend
Such essential skills and you share the need for them with your own heartfelt story. Thank you 🙏
Such a powerful story Pete, that every day can continue to be an adventure despite any disabilities you may have, it just takes a bit of positivity and drive - as well as wheelchair skills of course!
I can’t thank you enough for putting that question out there. I have to use an electric chair bc one arm isn’t very effective. (I could propel myself in circles 😂 but that clearly doesn’t get me anywhere!) Stairs are an impediment for my chair, along with narrow door openings. Even hospitals & medical offices still have inaccessible entrances & restrooms … clearly marked ♿️ but leave the inability of opening said door while powering your chair through it. (Did you ever realize how heavy these dang doors are?!🙄) I got stuck in one, waiting for someone to come in so I could get out 😳 … I’ve learnt to laugh over these awkward situations, including when you’re in a social situation and the server asks your friend if you would like a (fill in the blank). Umm…excuse me, being “handiabled “ affects my body not my bloody brain! In actuality, despite the American Disability Act, so much still stands between us, ABILITY/efficacy and freedom.
I hate to be told I'm an inspiration. For doing what exactly?
I am grateful to get hightech active wheelchair and also a pulling motor which drives 20 km per hour- nice to use on bicycle tracks. But it is a fight with insurance before.
But getying special wheelchair technique I dont know where to get. I look them up on youtube and try do do the same.
They don't do that for 1 simple reason: MONEY!!! It costs loads of money to train everyone that needs it. And there just isn't the motivation to do so.
We def can't just teach these skills to every freaking body who needs them cuz then we'll have too many disabled people going out in public too much.
Sad to see people don't want to listen a physically challenged person a youtube channel with 36M subscribers has only 2k views 🙁😔
Sad indeed
“ physically challenged “ you can just say disabled or wheelchair user