WHERE ARE THEY NOW
I fully understand that the friends we have before a spinal cord injury share common interests, and that when you can no longer do so they find it difficult to relate to “the new you”. So they soon drift away, not all, but most of them. However, the friends I’ve made since the injury, have only known me in a wheelchair and they accept me this way. It still hurts though!
VALIDATION
‘Validation’ is what I got from my diagnosis. It explained my physical inabilities growing up. Tripping often, and not being able to participate or keep up with my peers. I now enjoy each day and the ‘magic’ of the simple things.
LOOK PAST THE CHAIR AND SEE THE MAN
We all need physical affection. The problem is when you’ve got spinal cord injury, mostly the only touch you get is medical. Most of us miss the feeling of a body being close. This doesn’t mean it has to be sexual, it could just be an affectionate cuddle.
Hover over image for artist statement
The Imagine Me pilot project was a collaboration between lead artist Sue Murray and a group of 3 individuals living with spinal cord injury in Coffs Harbour:
Di Bird
Hank Duchateau
Jim Wicks
This project took place at the premises of Spinal Cord Injury Australia for 4 weeks in October 2014