That's what I think a disability is, it's just something that makes it more difficult for you to achieve your goals, but it shouldn't stop you.
Full episode transcripts here:
Sharon Fawkner: So this is Abel, my three year old guide dog.
Sharon Fawkner: Hi, I'm Sharon Fawkner. I'm 56 years of age, and I've got age-related macular degeneration which I've had now for 20 years. I was diagnosed legally blind when I was 36.
Interviewer: Can you tell us about yourself?
Sharon Fawkner: Hi, I'm Sharon Fawkner. I'm 56 years of age, and I've got age-related macular degeneration which I've had now for 20 years. I was diagnosed legally blind when I was 36.
Interviewer: When did you first notice you had problems with your vision?
Sharon Fawkner: So I was 25, and I was on a train from London to Northampton. And I saw this dot in my eye, and I thought, "Oh, that's strange." So, I ended up going to see a specialist there, and at that stage they didn't have macular degeneration as a diagnosis. And so, at 25 I walked out of there thinking, "Okay, righty-o, well, I can still see, I can still drive a car, I can still do everything." And so, for the next 10 years of my life, I drove cars, I lived my life. My eyesight did start to get progressively worse, but I sort of kept saying to mom, "No, I'm okay. I can drive a car. I'm fine." And then one day mom had to have a cataract operation. She said, "Are you gonna be okay to drive me home?" I said, "Yeah, I'll be fine." No problems whatsoever, thinking, "How am I gonna do this?" So anyhow, she had the operation. We came out, got into the car, and went to turn to the left, and realised I can't see the cars. I said to mum, "Can you tell me where there's cars? When, when there's a blow?" She said, "Why, what do you mean?" I said, "I'm not really sure I can see." And she said, "Oh my God, get out now and change." She said, "No, we're driving home. I'm driving home." And she said, "You're not driving home." I said, "I'm driving home, and that's it." And so, she guided me. She told me when we were coming to the lights, when there was a car, I still don't know how we got home that day, but we got back into the garage and she said, "That's it, you're never driving again."
Interviewer: What is it like living with a vision impairment?
Sharon Fawkner: It's been a struggle. I've had 20 years now to adjust. But the nature of my blindness is that I don't recognise people that I know, and love, and friends. Yeah, it's been a challenge, but I think in the long run it's actually made me a better person. I've learned to appreciate the little things in life, and the beauty that is around me. I'm also grateful for what I have, and I'm happy, yeah.
Interviewer: What does disability mean to you?
Sharon Fawkner: I used to think the disability defined me, but I think it's just become- it's a part of you. It should never define you. But a disability is where you struggle to achieve something that most people without disabilities don't have. But my philosophy has always been, everybody has a disability. Mine is just seeing, some people they're not seeing. That's what I think a disability is, it's just something that makes it more difficult for you to achieve your goals, but it shouldn't stop you.
Interviewer: What would you like to say to employers?
Sharon Fawkner: Give me a chance. Don't see my disability, look at my abilities, because I've got lots of abilities. I've got a quick mind. I can do most everything. What I can't do, I will say so, but give me a chance. You might find that I'm actually an asset. And the only thing that's stopping me is my vision, but I've got all the tools in place to help me with that. So, please just give me a chance, and give anyone else that you think is less than you, or is disabled. No, they're not. They're one of the best workers ever because we want to work, and just give us a chance. That's all I say.