Ben Lucas: Disability can happen to anyone
The Lead Advisor for Disability at ACC, Ben Lucas, says celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities this week is important. As a nation, Ben believes we need to keep creating opportunities for people living with a disability.
In 1989, when I was 24, my life changed forever.
I was riding my motorbike through Newmarket on a wet day in Auckland. Out of nowhere, a van pulled a U-turn and crashed straight into me. I had no time to react.
The impact broke my L3 lumbar vertebrae and left me paralysed. I remember flying from my bike and skidding down the road on my back. I was in agony.
The next day, the house surgeon came around and put his hand on my shoulder and said: ‘Young man, you’ve had a nasty accident, and you will never walk again.’
The curtains were drawn around me and I cried for an hour when the reality hit home.
The thing about accidents – or sudden medical events that can cause disability – is they don’t discriminate. They can happen to anyone.
The importance of celebrating disability
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is important for people all over New Zealand.
Around a quarter of New Zealanders identify as having a disability.
As a nation, there’s still work to be done around raising awareness and understanding. It's important to celebrate disability.
You’re disabled by your environment but you live with your impairment. And so, disability affects all sorts of people in different ways.
There are a huge number of people who have disabilities that you can’t see. They could have a sight impairment, a hearing impairment, a mental health condition or a neurodivergent condition.
By celebrating this day, it gives us all a chance to normalise the conversation and for people to share what their life is like living with a disability.
Ben Lucas after receiving his Paralympian pin, awarded to those who've represented New Zealand.
Creating an inclusive work culture
Every year, ACC supports around 7,000 New Zealanders with a serious injury and many other disabled people who injure themselves.
It’s significant that people with a disability are an identified population group in ACC’s strategy, Huakina Te Rā. We have an inclusive culture where people can bring their whole selves to work.
When I had my accident, it never crossed my mind that I wouldn’t work again.
For people who’ve sustained a life-changing injury, getting back to work is an important part of their rehabilitation. It gives them hope and purpose in life.
From a work point of view, give people with a disability an opportunity to show you what they can do. We need to show care and respect for one another.
Treat people who are living with a disability like everyone else and seek out opportunities to include us and to understand what life is like for us.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Established by the United Nations in 1992, the day takes place on 3 December this year and aims to promote an understanding of disability issues, mobilise support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities, and advocate for their inclusion in all aspects of society and development.
The 2018 census shows 24.5 per cent of New Zealanders identify as living with some form of disability, which equates to around 1.1 million people.
Every year, ACC supports around 7,000 New Zealanders with a serious injury and many other disabled people who injure themselves.
