people
Staying positive was very difficult . My first breakdown was when I returned home and came to the full realisation of what had happened . I leant on my mum for her wise words and comfort - she ’ s been the best mum .
In your opinion , what are the main challenges facing people with disability in Australia ?
It can be very hard for people living with a disability to remain independent while relying solely on the pension . And because of this they are facing stress , depression and loneliness . This is another reason why I got behind Year of Possibilities – because the extra support could change someone ’ s life .
What inspired you to become the first person with paraplegia in the world to land a backflip ? What sort of training was involved ?
I loved the training – it was fun so it didn ’ t feel like work - until you start hurting , and then it ’ s a task to drag yourself on the bike and do it all over again . Training involved around 50 back flips on a full size KTM350 onto dirt , like normal - not an airbag , and no hay underneath . I did it because I wanted to feel normal again , and it ’ s all part of the continual challenges I set for myself .
What are your plans for the future ?
I want to organise a launch date for What Disability ? for the end of the year , or start of 2018 . Some local businesses are on-board for the launch , and I have some exciting ideas to bring to fruition . It would be great to have a workshop to build some of the equipment we ’ ll be using for the activities , but it ’ s quite costly , so we need to sort that out .
What message do you have for other people with disability , particularly young people ?
Set daily , monthly and yearly goals for yourself . It is hard to do this as we need more assistance with our injuries but we can always work out a way to keep a smile on the dial . I ’ ve learnt to not be so hard on myself , and still after five years I ’ m learning how to let people help me . They want to help – so let them .
Andy Hensel is an ambassador for Just Better Care Gold Coast ’ s Year of Possibilities initiative , which aims to celebrate all that can be achieved for those living with a disability when given the right amount of support . As part of this , Just Better Care is giving away in-home support packages worth up to $ 30,000 . For more information check out www . yearofpossibilities . com . au
22 people linkonline . com . au