Heather devotes her life to helping others as a reverend and author

Heather has devoted her life to helping others, firstly as a librarian and later as a chaplain for people with intellectual disabilities and those in palliative care.

More recently the 69-year-old Thornlands retiree has published 2 books offering practical help to people living with a physical disability.

In ‘Marathon Wheeler: Living with Physical Disability’, Heather shares her educational experiences in Australian schools.

In her second book ‘The Many Faces of Grief’, Heather uses her personal experiences of bereavement as a springboard to discuss aspects of grief in an honest and empathetic way.

“All these experiences are viewed through the lens of a persevering ‘wheelie’ user,” Heather said.

“All my life I've been passionate about disability education. Even to this day I want to share what I’ve learned with others.”

Heather’s story starts in 1954 when she was born in India to Australian parents who were working as missionaries.

They returned to Australia not long after, and Heather and her younger brother drew on their parents’ wisdom and emotional support to navigate new school systems they faced because the family moved around for work.

At just 11, Heather was admitted to a rehabilitation hospital so she could undergo a series of operations.

“It made me realise there were a lot of people much worse than I was and they still had a massively positive spirit so that helped me develop my independence a little,” Heather said.

“Being away from home for 6 months was quite isolating and so I had to learn to grow up very quickly.

“I know my outside appearance can be a bit scary for some, but over the years I’ve grown my inside to cope with what the outside does to others.”

Heather says her faith has played a huge role in developing love and acceptance of all people. It set her on a trajectory that would see her go on to spend her life serving others.

As a 1970s university graduate in a wheelchair, Heather struggled to get employment, so she took up an offer of a librarianship.

This career path saw her work for The Australian Council for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, which was renamed in 2007 to National Disability Services (NDS).

“I was the librarian there for about 5 years, and then I received a call from a ministry and did 3 years at the Uniting Theological College,” Heather said. “After that I become ordained as a minister.”

Heather’s ministry career gave her opportunities to work alongside people with intellectual disabilities and later in the aged care sector as a chaplain on the South Coast of NSW.

“There was a lot of palliative care work involved, including hospital visiting and family support,” Heather said.

“And I think it was my favourite place, it just fit like a glove.

“My aim was to help people find peace, but you can never tell what influence you have.”

It wasn’t until 2016 that Heather accessed the National Disability Insurance Scheme at the age of 62.

“Having NDIS supports has actually been one of the best things that’s ever happened really. I don’t know where I would have been without it,” Heather said.

Heather uses her NDIS plan to fund an electric wheelchair and electric bed. She’s also had funding to make her bathroom and home accessible.

Living with arthritic shoulders and a permanently dislocated left shoulder means Heather lives with chronic pain.

But this doesn’t stop the fiercely independent retiree from taking part in activities, including spending time in the Redlands area and attending hydrotherapy.

“I find being in water my muscles relax. I’m still struggling because of changes in my posture, but I still just love the feeling of water holding me up,” Heather said.

Heather was recently supported by Carers Queensland to attend the launch of the Accessible Beach Program in Redlands and was able to float in the ocean for the first time in years.

The program allows people with disability to reserve a beach wheelchair and beach matting at the scenic Wellington Point Recreation Reserve.

Heather, who lives in an independent living unit in an aged care facility with support from personal carers, admits she has a lot of grit and is not one for giving up easily.

“After years working in the aged care sector, I know the importance of keeping my brain and body active. As such, I want to keep engaged in my local community,” Heather says.

“I’ve got support if I need it, but I’ve got control over my time and my life and that means everything to me.”

Carers Queensland can support you to find out more about the NDIS, to apply for funding and to help you get started with the NDIS.

If you have a disability but are not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland can help you identify and link to options for support in your community.

You can also contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636, cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au, or sign up to our LAC Connect app here.