I have been thinking a lot lately about how to make the best version of the world And the best version of yourself. I think it comes down to getting back to the basics of family, community, country. It is time to remove any us and them mentality that exists. Having a tight knit family strengthens the community and a strong community Creates a better country.. I think we need to get back to creating in person social networks Instead of relying on social media. Maybe we should even stop calling it social media and call it virtual media. That way the term social gets back to its original meaning related to real people. In 2024 domestic violence related deaths in Australia have doubled. Violence against people you love should never happen. I have an old fashioned mentality when it comes to protecting people you love It is time for men to rediscover the Jane Austen style gentility And maybe even parts of the code of chivalry. The code of chivalry says a man should honour and protect G
In the forty years of living with a disability I have seen the evolution of assistive technology for people with disabilities. Assistive technology has gone from scissors on an electric toothbrush base to now AI and everything in between. I have written many times about my journey with assistive technology. I know I would not be the independent person I am without it. From voice activation on my phone and computer to the mobility made possible by my electric wheelchair. The biggest challenge I face using assistive technology is things don't always work the first time and you only get short opportunities to test equipment. For example when I am at the peak of my day I can spend up to 18 hours in my wheelchair but when I am testing a new wheelchair I might only get three separate half hour test drives. Which doesn't give me the real feel about what it would feel like to spend the whole day or go to any of my local areas where I might be expected to use the wheelchair. Anothe