Don't disable the enviroment.

By Chris Van Ingen
When are we going to realise that our obsession of bigger and better is going to Create more disability not just of us but also the environment.
Every day l hear of a new plan for example earlier this year l read in the Geelong Advertiser there was a proposed plan to drill and mine in the vicinity of the You Yang’s.
When l was at the John Butler concert there was a group called save the Kimberly protesting plans to develop the Kimberly one of only two untouched wildernesses in the world and just last week l heard of a plan to create a Las Vegas style resort near Eyre’s rock when is this insanity going to stop?
Have people forgotten that once we start these brilliant for the economy and bad for the environment projects the effects are irreversible?
Every year since l was a kid we have had many family occasions at the You Yangs some even made me forgot about my disability, so how can we allow Regal Resources to do something so drastic so close to one of our most treasured natural resources.
Generations in the future must still have the opportunity to have father’s day and 21st celebrations at the You Yangs.
In the quest for resources why do we forget the natural resources we already have? Mining for coal is ridicules.
We must slow down this rat race because life is not sustainable at this pace.
We must look at things from a height because when we do this we can awake and see our selfish mistake.
It is time to forget about greed and make sustainability our greed.
“Remember to keep the wheels of life turning in your direction”.

You can't shut me out

The Federal government released a report highlighting issue’s faced by people with disabilities and their families in 2009.
I have lived with a disability for almost 28 years and have faced all the issue’s outlined in the report but one thing the report doesn’t show is the fact that despite all the issue’s you can’t shut me out.
The Shut out report does highlight food for thought for us as a community, area’s where the service system while brilliant is falling short.
If we want to truly empower people with disabilities we have to improve access to Aids and Equipment, community buildings, health care and transport.
One of the best ways to stop people with disabilities being shut out is to promote access to education opportunities. I am able to be effective in the community because l have had these chances a right that is protected by the UN. Every person has a right to education.
Statistics have also proven the better education a person has the better the access will be to employment. Yet another right protected by the UN.
If the government wants less people using up centerlink resources they can start by translating the words printed in a nice glossy Shut out report into action.
I am living proof that if action is taken you can overcome the issues raised in the Shut out report.
It is sad that in a prosperous country like Australia there are so many people with disabilities and their families that still feel disadvantaged and Shut out.
Miss Gillard you can’t shut me out. “Remember to keep the wheels of life turning in your direction”.

Seek asylum from hate

By Chris Van Ingen
Today I ask us to seek asylum from hate in our hearts and let asylum seekers into our beautiful country.
Boat people are not on a holiday cruise they want freedom from fear isn’t that what you want?
One of the units I train in the disability course is cultural diversity and the different family backgrounds of participants always amaze me, after all every European Australian only arrived a few generations ago.
On my dad’s side of the family I am second generation Australian so I try to remember that before I judge anyone coming to this country.
In my prep for the cultural diversity unit my wife pointed out that we live on an island and should something happen we would be boat people too, food for thought.
According to literature from the immigration museum most asylum seekers return to their homeland once the threat to their life has past.
Personally I think the people that stay make Australia the place it is but if you listen to the media we are being “Over Run!”, however, the fact is there are only a few hundred boat people every year.
Did you know? that it is not illegal to seek asylum and when we lock asylum seekers in detention centres we are braking a UN treaty we signed in good faith.
My disability has made me a person obsessed with security so I know we have to protect Australia but there has never been an asylum seeker that was a terrorist.
My disability also makes me realise how lucky I am because if I lived somewhere else I might not be alive and I want everyone to have the chance to live a life like the one I have been blessed with.
I don’t pretend to have the answers this blog is just a space to think. Please remember we are all human and when you forget try recalling that we live on an Island.
“Keep the wheels of life turning in your direction.”

This YoYo life

By Chris Van Ingen

I have been reflecting on the way of the world and I know that this is a yo-yo life it goes up and down but as long as you keep hold of the string you’ll be ok.
To some people life might seem like an illusion but you can be your very own illusionist and create magic in your life and here is the irony it doesn’t take any tricks.
Some people are determined to see me as an inspiration am l unique? No l am not all l am doing is adding my voice to all the people in history that have said anything is possible because l believe if enough people say it we can change the world.
I believe something as idealistic as world peace is attainable but every person on the planet has to go for it.
I haven’t posted anything for a while because l have been doing some spiritual meditation.
During this discovery process l have been melting together Zen philosophies with my Christian values my priest may not like this but for me the results have been profound.
“Life is as it is.” A favourite quote from many great Zen masters.
I have a disability so what it is as it is. I also have the most beautiful wife in history and the opportunity and skills to live a great life and if you are reading this Blog so do you.
Remember “ keep the wheels of life turning in your direction.”

Sexuality and Disability

By Chris Van Ingen
Sex is something that we all see on T.V, here on the radio and do in the privacy of our own home but when it comes to talking about it we all get embarrassed. Sex is something that every one wants to do whether we are straight, gay or in between.

Now I'm going to let you in on a little secret, the scoop of the century disabled people like sex too. In my life I have been through fifteen operations and indescribable pain every day, but the most difficult thing for me to cope with was the sexual frustration and not been able to do anything about it.

As a young man just trying to figure out my sexuality I was confronted with all female carers and let me tell you, while I have never done anything inappropriate there were times the thoughts I was having could have got me slapped in the face.

Now you may ask why I didn’t get male carers if I felt so uncomfortable. The answer is there are not many male carers around and in my opinion the female ones are better.

A lot of people assume that because you are incapable of walking, dressing yourself and even talking, that you don’t have even the thought of sex in your head. This is not the case. Once there was a quote in a book that I had read where a disabled guy said “how can I not think about sex when I spend every day at tits and ass level”

I’m not saying any of this to embarrass anyone or so you feel sorry for me.

Do I have the answers? No, We live in the real world. Now I’m one of the lucky ones. I have a beautiful fiancée but before that what were my options? A lot of disabled people go and see sex workers but that all depends on someone being comfortable enough to take you there. There are a lot of people that say they are comfortable with people with disabled and that they treat them like every one else but when the topic of sex comes up they get a disgusted look on there face. Ask yourself this question - would anyone you know feel comfortable taking someone to go have sex at an establishment?

I understand it’s very confronting - just think what it is like having someone take them to a strange place, strip them naked and then the person would leave the room knowing that they are going to have sex.
I remember every time I went out clubbing I used to go with the intention of ‘picking up’, then one day I realised what the hell would I do if I did? If I went back to her place I don’t have a hoist and unless they are a big brut of a woman, which isn’t my type, they certainly wouldn’t be able to lift me into their bed - so you can see my predicament.

I’m lucky I have the greatest family in the world and that is why the first time I was ever with a woman my dad literally lifted me into her bed and then came back in the morning and put me back into my wheel chair, talk about an awkward situation. It’s only been recently that I realised it would have been difficult for my dad as well as the woman involved.

When I was a teenager it was my biggest fear that when I had the chance to actually be involved with someone my body would let me down and I wouldn’t be able to do anything. I am now more experienced and some of my fears have come true - because of my physical restrictions there are some things I would like to do but cannot, for example I am envious of those people who decide to do it right there on the spot. I have to make sure that there is a hoist available and any other equipment that is needed to get me out of my wheel chair. I have however learnt to adapt an unfortunate but necessary evil.

I’m only one man and these are my experiences but I could pretty much guarantee you that most disabled men and women have had similar experiences and feelings.

I am one of the lucky ones, I can communicate quite clearly which allows me to express my sexual frustrations, needs and desires. There are many disabled people that cannot, let me tell you they would be in a living hell.

Let’s get down to business whether it’s right or wrong a person’s sexuality helps define who they are.

It is my experience that disabled people don’t really have a sexual identity. How many of you have seen a movie with a disabled person having sex? I can think of one offhand, a brilliant movie called “dance me to my song “.

For every body identity is a fragile thing. Most people get to discover their identity on their own by choosing the clothing they want to wear, whether you’re shaven or unshaven, whether your hair is long or short, these are all choices you get to make every day. Some disabled people don’t get to make those choices. What outfit do you have in your cupboard at home that you know as soon as you put it on you feel sexy?, for me it’s my leather jacket, I know that when I put that jacket on no woman can resist me. It is our responsibility as people with disabilities to make people aware of our sexual needs.

Let’s think about this – what is the community’s attitude towards sex in general? There are many things that contribute to community values about sex in Australia. I personally believe that we have very conservative views about sex and it impacts on a person with a disability because information about help available for people with disabilities isn’t circulated in the community and therefore people with disabilities do not know where to turn to with their sexual confusion.

It is community attitudes that can lead to a person with a disability having behavioural changes. Sexual frustration can often lead to anger because the person has no way of expressing what they are feeling. I have heard a story of a young man in permanent care that was aggressive towards the carers but once he found some sexual relief his whole demeanour changed. Unfortunately the relief he found was soon put a stop to because the people in charge considerate it not “appropriate”.

Community attitudes have often surprised me. I have always been upfront about my desire to have sex and even one day to have a family and some of the questions I’ve been asked by complete strangers’ border on obscenity. In my life time I have been asked! Yeh but have you got a penis? Can you get an erection? And some women have even asked me if I can have sex? To which I used to reply “I’m willing to find out if you are.”



Every body in the world has different sexual beliefs and things that they consider to be morally and sexually appropriate. Each person’s opinion is as valid as the next.

There are many care organizations that have rules prohibiting there carers from assisting people with disabilities with there sexual needs.

There is a defiant need or these rules to be in place but there has to be some strategy put in place to help people deal with their needs.

At very least care organizations should be able to recommend a qualified sex therapist to the person and know a sex therapist isn’t another way of saying a prostitute. There are qualified people with university degrees that can help people with disabilities to resolve there sexual frustrations.

So in this day and age people with disabilities no longer have to suffer in silence with their sexual frustrations.

Blind To The Truth

By Chris Van Ingen
With resent events this is a good time to open our eyes and look at a forgotten truth1 in 5 people will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some stage in their lifetime.
Mr. Premier you spend millions on a sporting events and I congratulate on their success but Mr Premier but how many time do I have to read in the paper about a young mother who tried to kill herself and her three children before you take action?
HHHHHHHHere’s the kicker so often there are stories of people that tried to get help for years but thanks to your cost cutting Mr premier they were not able to get help in time.
So on behalf of everyone I ask you Mr Premier what’s more important the health of your people or the adulation of a few sports fanatics?
It is important for us all to remember that mental health issues are just legitimate as any other medical condition.
It is easy for people to believe I have Cerebralpalsy because they can see my wheelchair, mental illness is not as obvious but in many cases it can be more debilitating.
Some readers may not believe this statement, however, I have spent my life around mental illness and disability including a long family history, so the effect it has on the individual and the people closest to them.
Mental illness is not something people can just snap out of and it’s not something that only affects the weak there are many high profile people living with mental health problems.
So after reading this please keep in mind illness doesn’t just affect the body it also affects the mind.
Remember “Keep the wheels of life turning in your direction.”

The Ostrich Effect

by Chis Van Ingen
How much longer is the world going to suffer from the environmental Ostrich syndrome?
I saw a Ted Egan documentary made in 1985 that talked about the destruction of our rainforest but we still live in an environment of complacency in 2010.
Al Gore may have won the Oscar for his doomsday prediction but as soon as the cameras stopped rolling we put that inconvenient truth back in its box.
What we’ve failed to realise is that box has become a ticking time bomb for the next generation to defuse.
The good thing is every native culture around the world has already given us the answer all we have to do now is learn from the past and act for the future.
Since the beginning of time indigenous people have lived in harmony with the land then somewhere along the line we declared war on nature.
It is our consumer lust that drives the continued rape of this planet that gives us life and I must confess until now I have been an accessory to this crime.
The ancients knew survival depends on only taking what you need and then giving nature time to regenerate, a simple lesson we must learn before it’s too late.
If we want to save the planet each of us has to decide to buy only environmentally friendly organic free trade produces.
Until that day corporations will continue giving customers what they want so it’s time for a power shift.
Remember “keep the wheels of life turning in your direction.”

wall of ignorance

by Chris Van Ingen
Andrew Peacock’s comment “you have to be handicapped to understand Labor polices.” highlights the wall of ignorance people with disabilities still face.
I have loved politics sens I met Paul Keating when he was prime minister and I was even a member of Mr Peacock’s own party but I haven’t heard ignorance like that sens primary school.
For anyone still living in the dark agers with Mr Peacock here my introduction to disability lecture.
I will baffle you, astound you and tell you the truth as I see it. Let me start by asking you this question – What is the difference between you and me? The answer is nothing, we are all human beings. What is a disability?
A disability is
“any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner, or within the range considered to be normal for a human being.”
There are many different types of disabilities. I’ve had friends that have cerebral palsy just like me that are higher functioning than. I am I have also had friends that are lower functioning because like any thing in life every one is different, each disability is different. Unless you have lived with a disability you will never know what it’s like just as I will never know what it’s like dealing with the trials and tribulations of your life. I am only here as proof of what living with a disability is actually like, at least what it’s like for me. Every one on the face of this earth has their difficulties every day but for a person with a disability it can sometimes feel like these difficulties are magnified ten thousand times. Just to give you a small illustration of these difficulties I would like every person here to grab a pen in their opposite hand to the one you write with, hold it in a fist and then try and write your name.
Something as simple as writing your name can be this difficult for me and this is with my good hand. I’m not saying any of this to embarrass you or make you feel sorry for me these are just the facts. Every day I have to have someone dress me, feed me, shower me and even wipe my bum.

I have been incredibly lucky because at the stage that my brain damage occurred the doctors believed the areas of my brain that control speech and intellectual capacity were not developed that is why I’m able to communicate so clearly and because of this I have been able to function at a high level in society despite my physical difficulties. Even with my communication skills and normal intellectual abilities I have still been confronted with nasty stereo types and discrimination like all people with disabilities. Just the other day I was out with my fiancée having lunch and the waitress came up to the table and said “we have chicken nuggets and chips if he would like that” she didn’t even acknowledge my presence at the table. So naturally I replied “I’ll have the open steak sandwich, thanks.” This lady did not mean any disrespect, she just wasn’t aware enough. This is the case with a lot of people. That is why I always try and educate people rather than getting mad. I have found you get further that way.
If you lovely people are going to work in the disability field, the most important thing to remember is you are not there to do the person with a disability a favour so it is important to be a professional at all times. I can guarantee you if a person with a disability had any other choice you would not be in their lives as carers. I have found the general rule of thumb is ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. In other words don’t do anything to your clients that you wouldn’t like done to yourself. Let me ask you this question – please look at the person next to you, now what if I was to tell you that the person you are looking at right now is coming home with you tonight, strip you naked and shower you. The standard answer to this question is ‘hell no!’. But people with disabilities have no choice. I have had carers that think I am invincible because of the way I joke around and act confident. This is just my way of protecting myself from the invasion of privacy I deal with every day and it is because of this bravado a few carers have made inappropriate comments about my weight while showering me and even comments about how disgusting my bowel movements are. Comments like this are completely inappropriate because it is comments like these that make me feel more disabled than anything.

There are many issues that disabled people face everyday. For example,
How will we get from one place to another?
How do we gain access to friend’s places, shops etc?
How do we deal with sexual frustration when society believes that disabled people don’t have sex so therefore they don’t even think about it?
I’m not asking you to answer any of these questions. The only thing people with disabilities want is for everyone to be open minded and simply aware – after all that’s why we call it ‘disability awareness’.
Thank you for your time.
I am happy to answer any questions you may ask.

politics of life

By Chris Van Ingen

With an election coming up it important to remind ourselves before we drown in promises we have to focus the politics of life.
Today’s politician’s often use a strategy called Game Theory which promotes the idea that if everyone goes for the same goal someone loses but if we go for different things everyone wins. I believe with this theory it is community that loses.
Politics shouldn’t be about winning it should be about working together because to change the world our leaders have to stop operating in these cliques known as political parties.
We should call on our leaders to stop the Machiavellin back stabbing and work on the environmental, economic and social justice issues that affect all Australians.
I was in a political party for 6 months but constant point scoring made it impossible to advocate for what I believe in.
We need to remember our humanity and share the abundance of this country with everyone.
We need to save the environment before it’s too late and we need to commit more resources to empowering people with disabilities now and that way it will cost less to support people with disabilities in the future.
So before you vote for the same old Joe Blow you usually vote for please remember this article and elect people you think will serve this country with humanity.

Live Below the Line

By Chris Van Ingen

Did you know as you read this there are 1.4 billion people are living in poverty? Live Below the Line is a campaign dedicated to changing this fact.
Live Below the Line participants have to survive on two dollars a day for 5 days, if you think it’s impossible remember 1.4 billion people do it every day.
To put it in perspective 1 take away coffee is about 4 dollars almost double the daily income of many families around the world.
Money raised from the campaign will go to the Oaktree Foundation and the Global Poverty Project to found the building of schools in Cambodia, as well as, educational programs in Australia.
Live Below the Line organisers believe education is currency people need to lift themselves out of poverty.
“I want help raise awareness about the issue of poverty.” Said Tara Watts a Live Below the Line participant.
This event is a powerful reminder that 2 percent of the world’s population controls around ninety eight percent of the wealth so putting a stop to poverty means sharing.
As the author of this blog I have to admit for a long time I followed Gordon Gecko’s mantra “greed is good.” But now that seem so stupid.
I am 1 small wave in the ocean of humanity but I will do what I can to make sure that in the next generation no one lives below the poverty line.
Live Below the Line runs from the 2nd to the 6th of August if you want to donate to Tara go to www.everydayhero.com.au/tara_watts
Remember “Keep the wheels of life turning in your direction”

Act For Success

By Chris Van Ingen


This blog aims to confront some powerful issues so it is important to define success.

The Macquarie dictionary of Australia defines success as:“1. the favourable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavours. 2. the gaining of wealth, position, or the like.
3. a successful performance or achievement.4. a thing or a person that is successful.”

Guess what people? Together we are going to change the meaning of success.
We are going focus on our relationship to the environment and each other.

here are some strategies that have helped me get on with life just to get us started.

What is the secret to success? I want to succeed and all my life I’ve tried to find the answer to this question.
The only answer I can come up with is that there is no secret. All you’ve got to do is want to succeed.

Who am I to talk to you about success? What makes me any different to you? The answer is nothing. That’s the whole point.
If I can succeed so can you. I’m not famous yet and most of you wouldn’t know who I am.
I can guarantee you right now some of you are reading this thinking why do I have to listen to some guy in a wheelchair. You don’t. I don’t care if you look at me and go ‘If that spastic can do it than so can I.’ because if you think that for a second than I’ve already won.
I have no magic wand; if I did I would already be the richest person in the world. All I can tell you is what I have done to get what I want.

I am an aspiring actor and have done several plays and short films. I’m also a freelance writer and run my own business, just writing this article I am living my dream.

As an actor part of our homework we have a list of things we have to figure out about the scene before we can perform it.
One day I looked at this list I discovered that everything on the list was the way I go about accomplishing what it is I want to do.

Before you succeed at anything the first thing you have to do is ask yourself what do I want to do?
One of the best ways to figure out what it is you want to do is to write out a thing I call My Life Plan. This is a letter you sit down and write a letter to yourself.
In it you write down everything you want to do, for example

My Life Plan
I am going to be the best man I can be. I am going to grow up and instead of talking of what I want to do I am going to do it.

I’m going to stop being selfish.

In ten years, I will be a professional actor. I will also write and publish a novel, a collection
of short stories, articles and poetry. I will also write and perform my own scripts. I am going to also run several businesses, especially my own production company. Nothing will stop me from getting what I want, not even my disability.

“No retreat, no surrender.”
“In the warrior’s code there is no surrender. When you’re body cries stop your spirit cries NEVER!”
“Eye of the tiger.”
“Never, never, never, never give up.”

This is my life plan and I am not going to stop until I achieve everything I said here.

The important thing about the letter is that you write I am going to… because that way it becomes positive reinforcement which is the key.
My motivation, my intention, my subtext is about aware. This how I act for success and you can do it too.
Remember, “keep the wheels of life turning in your direction”

MY LIFE MY MOTIVATION

My Life My Motivation
by Chris Van Ingen

My name is Chris Van Ingen. I am 27 years old and I have cerebral palsy but I have never let my disability stop me from achieving my goals.

Living with a disability has blest with the opportunity to watch, listen and think about life. This blog will reflect on the environment human rights, disability, social justice and other issues relevant to society today.

I am a social advocate, poet screen writer, actor and motivational speaker.

"everything I’m drawn to in life is about communication and this blog is the next phase in that journey."

My mum and dad have always taught me to educate people to open their eyes and get rid of society’s prejudices.

I have motivated and educated the people of Geelong. I have given talks for the Scope Young Ambassador Program, Karingal Disability Services, Diversitat, Deakin and many more.

I am determined to spend my whole life proving to the world that anything is possible no matter what obstacles you face.

I don’t have the answers all I ask of you the reader is to be aware, aware of your relationship with the environment and each other.

“Remember keep the wheels of life turning in your direction.”