My name does not include wheels!
I am Chantal Huinink. I'm a rarity because I'm an only child in a Dutch
family - granted that's not as relevant as it is rare. Born 22 years ago and 2
½-months premature, I was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy -
say that five times fast!
Fast forward 22 years. Now you'll find me using an electric wheelchair,
attending my second year of university, living in residence and studying
psychology and child studies. My hobbies include basketball (playing or
watching), swimming - which on more than one occasion has involved some sinking
- and sketching.
I have faith, and I believe in laughing a lot. I also know that school or any
other day to day type of work becomes mindless and robotic if you don't have
adventures along the way…regardless of if you're in a wheelchair or not…and
those adventures are exactly what I intend to write about.
My personality does not include wheels!
I am all about nothing related to my disability or my wheelchair. Or at least
I thought I was, until I realized that my seemingly isolated physical
disability, in some small way, positive or negative, affects pretty well
everything I'm a part of. I don't mean that necessarily in a visual or physical
sense, as people don't always notice my electric wheelchair, and not every job
requires something I am incapable of.
However, my perspective on various issues, the way in which I approach
situations, not to mention how I relate to others, are all products of my past
experiences - which my physical impairment will always factor into. This is how
Wheels in the City , my bi-monthly column, came about. In it I will discuss life
issues, as well as "if" and "how" having a physical disability or using a
wheelchair, impacts them.
Topics I will be highlighting include:
- Becoming Used to Your Ability.
- Why Healthcare Professionals Hate Me!
- Dignity or Versatility: Choose your own adventure.
- To be or not to be Independent – That is the Question?
- Do Words Really Matter?
- Accessibility vs. Accommodation.
- Equality is Fake!
In order to ensure that this column is relevant to all of my readers, your
suggestions are always welcome. Please don't forget to keep checking back on The
Wheelchair Site for new Wheels in the City installments.
On that note, keep on rolling in the city
~Chantal
