Normality of Disability

Mathew Townsend is the Founder of Nature Freedom; a non-for-profit organisation improving employment and social opportunities for young people with disabilities and mental health background, through mainstream environmental programs and outdoor adventure activities. Mathew shares his challenges as a person with disabilities and unpacks the misconceptions he has faced from outsiders.

At an advocacy community meeting, I had a thought about human desire in things such as consumerism, social acceptance, privileges and status. There is a lot of misconceptions towards people with disabilities and mental health issues about what they want to improve their lifestyles. The problem we are following is seeing the social outing as they want friends instead focusing on their wellbeing and passions.

Lot of people thinks it selfish and 'status' attention seeker. In my early 20's I was mocked and bullied from college students about how lonely I was, and they perceived I wanted friends. That aided my anxiety and depression. That nobody understand at the time.

We are having identity and personality crisis. The selfishness and greed taking spotlight away from people needs. Lot of young people with disabilities are struggling to find and maintain friendships, relationships, employment, education and access services because they are perceived of wanting them. This approach is not seen as 'they needed it'.

The problem contrasting wanting and needing is foreshadowed by social privileges. The society's attitudes from personality and culture is creating adverse impacts towards people needs. Mental health, social isolation, underemployment, poverty, hunger, abuse and homeless. Those are the factors as being victims by highly social privileged mainstream society.

This month I needed to take chances to learn my journey as a social entrepreneur working on my personal and professional development for 2020. Coming from my passions, it is indeed seen as wanting, but what I need is experience, inclusion and opportunities. I got rejected (two years in a row) by Westpac's Fellows program, Myer Foundation (2018) and other small projects. They are a lifeline for my experiences. I needed to have the opportunities. Questioning my (dis)abilities where I am up to in my journey is actually perceived as wanting.

Phot of a group of young people with disabilities and mental health attended the inclusive cleanup Nature Freedom event in Brisbane in March 2018 at Orleigh Park in West End.

Us, people who are vulnerable looking for support cannot be compete against socially privileged people with high social status. Imagine this is a situation about the gap of rich and poor wealth. We been talking about poverty and lack of taxes for high income earners for many years BUT we never talk about the social privileges. Of course there is a division between social wealth. How humans are accepted, understood and provided support (opportunities).

The journey is cautious and contentious especially for those with disabilities at young age. It is important to invest their futures as early as can, otherwise they will fall into cracks of isolation and mental health. The reality of social class gap is true.

We need to treat people with disabilities just like everybody else. They also want same things as able bodied people wants, but the difference they needed it. You have no idea where they are coming from. In my experience, I had lack of opportunities nor maintain access to same services and support as many other young people in past decade because they weren't inclusive nor accessible. That why I needed the opportunities more than wanting it.

Head to https://naturefreedom.com.au/ to join/ learn about Mathew’s disability movement.

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WORDS: MATHEW TOWNSEND
PHOTOGRAPHY: JON WARREN