Disability comes with its challenges

Andrew Allen has accomplished a lot of things in his life.

Andrew Allen (56) has been in a wheelchair for 38 years, but it hasn’t downed his spirit.

At the age of 56, he is a qualified mechanical engineer and, for many years, worked for one of the world’s largest mining companies, Anglo American.

For nine years he was a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg.

“I absolutely loved it,” he said.

Along with his accomplishments, he has had to live with a disability.

When Allen was 18 years old, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that would prove to be life-altering.

He suffered an injury to his spinal cord which left him immobile, with his legs paralysed.

Fast-forward to 38 years and Allen has adjusted to using a wheelchair to get around.

But there are still many challenges that he and other disabled people face on a day-to-day basis, that may seem mundane to the rest of the population.

“Things like showering or going to the loo are a serious mission; you always need somebody there to assist you,” he said.

“Everything takes longer.”

He said it is difficult to find employment, because employers consider the “disadvantages of hiring a disabled person”.

Allen added that the cost of living is higher for a person with disability.

His current wheelchair costs about R80 000.

On the seat is a cushion that’s comfortable enough for use, which costs R6 000.

Mobility is another challenge.

“The lines in banks and municipal buildings are often too small and make it difficult to move through with a wheelchair,” he said.

Allen drives an automatic car, to which, he says, he has adjusted.

“It’s not as easy as just getting a new car, especially because it takes so long to get used to a car.”

The 56-year-old man reckons parking spaces needn’t be close to the entrances to places, but rather wider and level, so that there’s more space to move.

Once, while on a shopping trip, he forgot his wheelchair and had to use a courtesy chair that had been offered at the store.

Unfortunately, the chair wasn’t suitable for use.

“Shopkeepers need to be more aware and considerate of what their customers’ needs are,” Allen said.

“All it takes is a conversation.

“Carrying stuff is a real nightmare and takes time, so it helps to ask people to assist you.”

The mechanical engineer also believes that it is up to people with disability to interact with other people and ask for assistance where necessary.

“I’ve even learnt a little bit of French speaking to the guards at The Square at Farrarmere, who assist me,” he said.

His supportive family and his strong Christian faith keep him motivated.