Thank you Terry for this contribution.
I have only been incapacitated once (for a number of weeks) and can only say
that my perspective changed completely through that experience.
Peter
-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Pacey <>
To: Birding-Aus <>
Cc: Disabled Birders Association <>
Date: Wednesday, 31 July 2002 09:26
Subject: Disabled Birders
>I have thought long and hard as to whether or not to send this message.
The
>comments made during the debate on birding from chairs has shown that there
>is a great deal of education needed so that able-bodied birders understand
>just what having a disability means.
>
>Before I start, I must point out that I have a very minor disability (if
you
>exclude stupidity) only. This disability means that I am often prevented
>from birding by serious pain (the type that makes you physically ill) and
>inability to stand for any period and/or walk any distance. Please note
>that this is not a constant problem but flares at times. I do not use, or
>need a wheelchair, but have had the experience of having a "turn" while
>birding by myself at a considerable distance from the car. Not a pleasant
>occurrence.
>
>A disability can very from mild to severe. It can be full time or part
>time. It may not be obvious. A wheelchair or a white cane or guide dog
>stand out. Any of you who have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome know how
>annoying it is to have people say how well you look and not be able to
>understand why you can't keep up as they stride through the bush. You know
>you feel like s**t and can hardly move but still look well. This is a
>disability too and shows how difficult it can be making judgements.
>
>Some of the people I bird with are hearing impaired. They can't hear the
>bird calls but compensate with remarkably acute sight. These people need
>help by being shown the direction the calls come from. I have often found
>that these birders are the ones who first see the birds. The opposite also
>occurs with the sight impaired often hearing (and identifying) species and
>showing exactly where they are which enables the able bodied to see the
>species much more easily.
>
>Then there are those who use walking aids. These vary in size and type.
>Many of these birders are unable to use the so called wheelchair access
>tracks as the surface is covered in gravel, etc that does not affect
wheeled
>vehicles but is dangerous with a walking aid which can easily slip on such
>surfaces. The question was asked as to whether these people would be
better
>off in a wheelchair. I felt like treating that question with contempt but
>realize it was asked by someone who has no experience in these matters.
The
>reasons are quite obvious when you think about it. Wheelchairs are not
>exactly inexpensive. No one I know would carry one "just in case there was
>a track that was suitable". The other reason is that anything which
affects
>your independence is something to be avoided. The worst thing about most
>disabilities is this reduction of independence.
>
>I have also found that many birding spots (even those that are "wheelchair
>friendly") have no suitable parking. How many times have you parked beside
>the road and then walked along the side of the road? What about when a
>group of birders all converge on a "hot spot"? To unload a wheelchair and
>then be able to move from the car to the chair requires a great deal of
>extra space. Even those with mobility problems that do not require a
>wheelchair need plenty of space to get in and out of a vehicle. Then there
>are those spots where the nearest parking spot requires you to negotiate
the
>roadway, up a hill, to reach the track. Try moving out of the road of
>vehicles while negotiating a steep hill in a wheelchair or while using a
>walking aid.
>
>There are many things that can be done to help disabled birders especially
>those with diminished mobility. This includes those who are wheelchair
>bound. The first, and most important, is to show a little understanding
and
>patience. Those organising group outings should consider all of the
>problems I have mentioned. Even if someone does not announce they have a
>difficulty, that does not mean they are able bodied. Birders are supposed
>to be observant. That is the very core of birding, but I have seen many
>group outings where almost no one noticed that one member took a long time
>to climb in or out of the car and had difficulty keeping up. Of course,
>they were just "lazy" weren't they?
>
>I have had many pleasant outings where those with me accepted that I had
>difficulties keeping up and showed consideration and assistance when
needed.
>Then there are those "horror" outings where the opposite happened. If this
>happens to me, how much worse is it for those with greater problems?
>
>There a number of other ideas which are already being practised in some
>overseas countries and I will put those forward as suggestions for
Australia
>in a later posting.
>
>Good birding
>
>Terry Pacey
>
>(Check out the Disabled Birders Association site at
>www.disabledbirdersassociation.org.uk)
>
>
>Birding-Aus is on the Web at
>www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
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>
>
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