Graham
Graham was born with spina bifida and could not walk until he was 12 years old. He grew up in Darwin and now lives in Alice Springs. Graham is a Yolngu man from Arnhem land.
Graham works out in the gym to stay fit and build his strength. He is involved in the arts community and enjoys music, art and acting. These activities have helped him to build his confidence and socialise more.
[Image appears of a view looking down on the township of Alice Springs, and then the image changes to show Graham sitting in a chair and talking to the camera]
Graham: I was born with spina bifida, and I was told by my parents that I couldn’t walk.
[Image changes to show a close view of Graham talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show Graham climbing up a hill]
The nurses and doctors they were telling me to keep pushing, don’t give up.
[Camera zooms in on Graham’s legs as he walks]
And I’m like yep, no worries. I just kept pushing.
[Image changes to show Graham looking out over Alice Springs, and then the image changes to show Graham talking to the camera, and text appears]
My name is Graham.
[Image changes to show a close view of Graham talking to the camera]
I am a Yolngu man from Arnhem land.
[Image changes to show Graham looking out over Alice Springs, and then the camera zooms in on a profile view of his face]
I grew up in Darwin and now I live in Alice Springs.
[Images move through to show a rear view of Graham looking out over Alice Springs, Graham talking to the camera, and a view looking down on Graham at a lookout]
The good thing I like about Alice is that I got freedom.
[Images move through to show Graham and a friend enjoying a drink at an outdoor table, a close view of Graham and his friend performing a fist bump, and the township of Alice Springs]
I have so much to do here, getting out and about, socialising with people, just enjoying the nature, it’s the best for me.
[Image changes to show a “Town Centre” sign, and then the image changes to show the Disability Gateway website on a laptop screen]
I can use the Disability Gateway to learn more about leisure activity.
[Images move through to show Graham talking to the camera, and then Graham and a friend looking at a book together and laughing]
I am involved in this art organisation.
[Images move through to show Graham talking to the camera, and then Graham and a friend doing music together in a studio]
They do music, they do art, they do acting, and that helps me with learning how to socialise more, and learning how to be confident, learning to get out of the house and do something positive.
[Image changes to show Graham talking into a microphone while his friend works on the music on a laptop, and then the camera zooms out on Graham and his friend in the studio]
Yeah, you go and see the black man and me coming up in the movie and the music industry.
[Image changes to show Graham talking to the camera]
I couldn’t walk until I was 12.
[Images move through to show Graham using a laptop, a close view of Graham’s friend looking at a laptop and smiling, and a facing view of Graham and his friend in the studio]
With this disability of spina bifida, most people cannot walk.
[Image changes to show Graham seated in a chair talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show Graham sitting in a chair doing exercises]
But with me when I was doing the exercises, it was uncomfortable at first but then I started getting into the workouts.
[Image changes to show Graham on a machine working out his legs]
I do my leg workouts, bicep workouts, I try not to overdo it.
[Image changes to show Graham taking a breather in the gym, and then the image changes to show Graham talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show Graham exercising again]
I believe that deep down in my heart staying fit, learning all sorts of skills within fitness and health can really set the boundaries for me and I can go higher.
[Images move through to show an Indigenous flag waving in the wind, a view looking down on Alice Springs, and then Graham looking out over the township of Alice Springs]
I feel totally 100% confident using the Disability Gateway Services and I recommend it to anyone.
[Music plays and image changes to show text: For more information please visit disabilitygateway.gov.au, or call 1800 643 787]
If you have a disability, check out the Disability Gateway, go to disabilitygateway.gov.au or you can call their number 1800 643 787.
[Image appears of a view looking down on the township of Alice Springs, and then the image changes to show Graham sitting in a chair and talking to the camera]
Graham: I was born with spina bifida, and I was told by my parents that I couldn’t walk.
[Image changes to show a close view of Graham talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show Graham climbing up a hill]
The nurses and doctors they were telling me to keep pushing, don’t give up.
[Camera zooms in on Graham’s legs as he walks]
And I’m like yep, no worries. I just kept pushing.
[Image changes to show Graham looking out over Alice Springs, and then the image changes to show Graham talking to the camera, and text appears]
My name is Graham.
[Image changes to show a close view of Graham talking to the camera]
I am a Yolngu man from Arnhem land.
[Image changes to show Graham looking out over Alice Springs, and then the camera zooms in on a profile view of his face]
I grew up in Darwin and now I live in Alice Springs.
[Images move through to show a rear view of Graham looking out over Alice Springs, Graham talking to the camera, and a view looking down on Graham at a lookout]
The good thing I like about Alice is that I got freedom.
[Images move through to show Graham and a friend enjoying a drink at an outdoor table, a close view of Graham and his friend performing a fist bump, and the township of Alice Springs]
I have so much to do here, getting out and about, socialising with people, just enjoying the nature, it’s the best for me.
[Image changes to show a “Town Centre” sign, and then the image changes to show the Disability Gateway website on a laptop screen]
I can use the Disability Gateway to learn more about leisure activity.
[Images move through to show Graham talking to the camera, and then Graham and a friend looking at a book together and laughing]
I am involved in this art organisation.
[Images move through to show Graham talking to the camera, and then Graham and a friend doing music together in a studio]
They do music, they do art, they do acting, and that helps me with learning how to socialise more, and learning how to be confident, learning to get out of the house and do something positive.
[Image changes to show Graham talking into a microphone while his friend works on the music on a laptop, and then the camera zooms out on Graham and his friend in the studio]
Yeah, you go and see the black man and me coming up in the movie and the music industry.
[Image changes to show Graham talking to the camera]
I couldn’t walk until I was 12.
[Images move through to show Graham using a laptop, a close view of Graham’s friend looking at a laptop and smiling, and a facing view of Graham and his friend in the studio]
With this disability of spina bifida, most people cannot walk.
[Image changes to show Graham seated in a chair talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show Graham sitting in a chair doing exercises]
But with me when I was doing the exercises, it was uncomfortable at first but then I started getting into the workouts.
[Image changes to show Graham on a machine working out his legs]
I do my leg workouts, bicep workouts, I try not to overdo it.
[Image changes to show Graham taking a breather in the gym, and then the image changes to show Graham talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show Graham exercising again]
I believe that deep down in my heart staying fit, learning all sorts of skills within fitness and health can really set the boundaries for me and I can go higher.
[Images move through to show an Indigenous flag waving in the wind, a view looking down on Alice Springs, and then Graham looking out over the township of Alice Springs]
I feel totally 100% confident using the Disability Gateway Services and I recommend it to anyone.
[Music plays and image changes to show text: For more information please visit disabilitygateway.gov.au, or call 1800 643 787]
If you have a disability, check out the Disability Gateway, go to disabilitygateway.gov.au or you can call their number 1800 643 787.