PERSONAL stories of challenge and triumph told by others with a lived experience of disability are being shared on a new website dedicated to the task, called Paper Wings.
Developed by leading social change organisation, Social Futures, Paper Wings encourages contributors to move away from the short instant messaging of social media, and back to an old-school style of reflecting, thinking and crafting of personal messages.
With a positive outlook you will attract positive people which will enhance your understanding of who you are
Scott Jones, Community Development Coordinator with Social Futures.
The project is particularly valuable during COVID-19, says Social Future's Capacity Building and Engagement Manager, Lynda Hope.
"People living with disability are particularly vulnerable to becoming isolated, especially during the COVID-19 restrictions that so many of us are now living with," she said.
"I hope that by people sharing their experiences, they are helping someone else to better understand their own and feel a sense of connection."
The content includes messages about adversity, and how to overcome it, such as the note posted by 42-year-old Judi, who encourages people to be themselves. "By hiding my difficulties I felt protected from discrimination, from being treated differently, it allowed me to feel a sense of acceptance. I now realise that this was not true acceptance as I wasn't being my true self."
Scott Jones, a Community Development Coordinator at Social Futures, said when he was first diagnosed with a visual impairment, he could only think of the things he wouldn't be able to do. "That place of negativity was isolating and depressing," he said. "It wasn't until I spoke to others with the same situation that I realised I do have options and opportunities." His message encourages others to search for and embrace the positive. "With a positive outlook you will attract positive people which will enhance your understanding of who you are".
Other authors include Andie, who shares her story of living with Cerebral Palsey, which she says "sucks sometimes, a lot of the time, but it's a small part of my life".
Maree Jenner, a person of short stature aged 62, has also contributed, writing a letter to her 17-year-old self. "You have grown to 4ft tall ... as a result of your short stature/dwarfism ... which has proven to be one of your greatest assets," she writes. "You will be pleased to know that I am happy."
