The Sessions

By Chris Van Ingen

This week I saw a movie that made me realise I don’t need to act, write or speak another syllable because the wisdom I thought my disability had given me to offer the world has already been perfectly expressed in The Sessions.

 A week ago I went to the video shop and hired The Sessions just to make up the numbers for a deal and a taxi driver told me it was good; little did I know how much it would rock my world!

  

The Sessions tells the real life story of Mark O’Brien a writer and poet with Polio who under goes a sexual awakening when he is asked to write an article on “Sex and the Disabled.”

During the cause of writing the article Mark is introduced to a sex surrogate  Sheryl Cohen-Green  played by Helen Hunt. Her character is not a prostitute and the difference is explained in the movie but through his interaction with her Mark is able to  experience his sexuality for the first time.

The themes, issues and emotions the movie deals with is the most realistic look at the fear, guilt and self esteem issues people with disabilities go through when it comes to sexuality that I’ve ever seen.

  

Writer and director Ben Lewin handled the film with the perfect  blend of humour and drama without being patronising or sentimental.

John Hawks (as Mark O’Brien) and Helen Hunt (Sheryl Cohen-Green) give Oscar calibre performances brilliantly supported by William H. Macy and the other cast to create a movie I had to buy the next day.

It’s eye opening to see that I have spent my artistic and business life teaching people about the same things Mark went through thirty years ago,

How hard is it to work out that people with disabilities are sexual beings too? As a matter of fact sex is one of the only things I would sacrifice my acting goals for. That’s how important sex and sexuality is to me.

The only criticism I have is the lead didn’t really have a disability. So Ben next time, look me up on Showcast. Professional jealousy aside everyone has to see The Sessions.

“Keep the wheels of life turning in your direction.”

Return to the Sacred Feminine

By Chris Van Ingen

In 2013, women are strong, intelligent, creative, caring and beautiful. So how insane is our world if we need to have a night dedicated to stopping violence against people that have these qualities and much more to offer the world?

Growing up with a disability was tough. When my guy friends were doing things I couldn’t do, I would’ve been very lonely if the girls didn’t let me join their circle.

I’ve known since the age of ten how amazing women are and I truly believe they deserve to worshipped; not just sexually!

It horrifies me to know that 1 in 3 women experience violence at the hands of ones who say they love them the most: their partners.

When the majority of these partners are men, it’s enough to make me want to disown my sex in protest.   

When I heard an excerpt from a speech by Police Commissioner Ken Lay which says “if one person a week was murdered at a train station there would be community outrage yet one woman per week is murdered and there’s barely a whisper.” What the f**k?

In the ten years I’ve been with the beautiful Jodi Watts now Van Ingen, I felt no need to use my porn collection because the artificial degrading world could never compare to her beautiful reality.

Women have always liked the way I respected them but from today I intend my respect to multiply by the power of ten.

I intend to make sure that all my interactions and communication with women are done in a spirit of equality and respect.

I intend to sign the G21 Accord to Prevent and End Violence Against Women and I encourage all men if they are “real men!” to do the same.

It is time for women to reclaim more than the night; it is time for women to reclaim their possession as the sacred feminine. 

Demolition Man

By Chris Van Ingen

In the short time our new Prime Minister has been in power, although whether or not he has lived up to honour of that title is up to you...

 He has scraped the Carbon Tax, got rid of the Ministers for Disability, Aged Care,  Youth, Climate Change  and Multicultural Affairs lumping them all in one, like he’s saying here is the reject pile.

During the election, people with disabilities were happy that both parties committed to the NDIS which is the biggest investment in disability in thirty years but how committed is Mr Abbott if he takes away the minister when those with disabilities need one most?

Mr Abbott a “devout Catholic!” is now attacking refuges and asylum seekers who are doing nothing wrong or illegal!

Time for a refresher, Australia signed a UN contract agreeing to take refugees and asylum seekers so coming here by boat is not against the law.

The ignorance and fear Abbott’s government is trading on brings to mind a Zen quote: “labelling as like or don’t like is a disease of the mind”.

People arriving by boat have committed no crime yet they are imprisoned when all they asking is place to be safe.

A blogger recently pointed out that our national anthem boasts “we have land for all to share.” Or the Bible says “what you do to the least of them you do to me.” Statements the government have forgotten based on current events.

Statically most refugees and asylum seekers return home once the danger has passed yet the new government has put laws in place to make it difficult for them to do just that.

Just when you think things are safe, in recent days, reports have surfaced that they are looking into the feasibility of privatising the NDIS effectively making it more arduous for people to access the scheme before it even starts.

Governments are supposed to represent their community with humanity and compassion but how much is going to be left after four years under a demolition man?