James’ Story

Muscle memory: James’ story

James has always been passionate about three things: exercise, nutrition and helping other people. As a clinical exercise physiologist, he gets to combine all three.

“I think my experience with disability is what drove me to this job,” says James.

“For all the things that I can't see or do as easily in the world, I can at least get in the gym, eat well and take care of my body. I wanted to help others do the same.”

Living with a visual impairment, James navigates the world with 2% of his total vision. He is one of Australia’s first blind exercise physiologists, using exercise to treat and manage injuries in his patients.

“I like to learn everything I can about the person before I treat them because there's no one-size-fits-all approach,” says James.

In this allied health role, James treats a variety of conditions including chronic pain, diabetes and preventing falls in older adults.

Working from the gym in his clinic, he uses different adjustments to go about his day.

“I have a blood pressure machine that talks to me and different bits of equipment output things in a way that I can understand,” says James.

Although he might do things differently, James’ experience with disability has also given him new skills.

“It's made me very resilient and great at problem solving,” he says. “I think it’s also taught me how to help and care for others.”

James stumbled upon the Disability Gateway when seeking support services for a friend.

After making dozens of calls searching for help without success, he tried calling the Disability Gateway.

Speaking with the team on the other end meant James was able to find the support he was looking for.

“They were amazing. The most wonderful person answered, and they came back in a couple of days with all these different services," James shared.

He adds, “Knowing there’s people out there who actually care and will find services to support you at no cost is just incredible.”

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Audio Visual

Audio

Visual

[Background music playing: a guitar is strumming]

A blind man is walking along a street with a cane.

Hi, I'm James and I'm a clinical exercise physiologist.

James is sitting in a chair and talking to the camera. His dining room is in the background.

I think I love making a tangible impact on people's lives. Whatever part of the health and lifestyle journey that they're on, I'm able to come in and help them.

James is in the gym helping another man do exercises. James gives the man a dumbbell and demonstrates a squat.

That's been pretty meaningful to me.

James is sitting in a chair and talking to the camera. His dining room is in the background.

I do a lot of bodyweight work; pull ups, rowing, moving around heavy things. It just makes you feel a lot more confident.

James stands close to a man who is laying on a bench underneath a barbell. James supports the barbell while the man uses it to do chest presses.

I’ve had to develop a lot of different strategies. I know I need to able to take bloods, how does a blind guy use a syringe?

James is sitting in a chair and talking to the camera. His dining room is in the background.

I have like a blood pressure machine that talks to me and different bits of equipment that output things in a way that I can interpret it.

James puts a blood pressure cuff on a man’s arm. James is holding an iPad up to his face and looking at a screen with numbers on it.

But then also I work very hands on and very close to clients.

A man is on a rowing machine next to James. James touches the man’s back while he rows.

Amy's had a huge impact.

James and his wife Amy are holding hands and walking down their driveway.

We've been together for over ten years now.

We see a close up of some wedding photos on the wall next to the words ‘Amy and James Forever’.

She's always like pushing me to

try different things and get out because sometimes, you know, I'm a little bit isolated here.

James and Amy are making a salad together in the kitchen. They are laughing and smiling.

Somebody just mentioned the Disability Gateway so just oh you know, have you heard about this?

James scrolls through the Disability Gateway website on a computer in his house.

Just from that first second that somebody picked up a phone and how genuine they were was incredible.

James is using an iPhone to call the Disability Gateway. He holds the phone up to his face and uses Siri to make the call. James smiles and talks into the speaker.

I'm so grateful for it. I had no idea that it existed. I've been telling everyone about it since.

A closing slide appears with the Disability Gateway logo, the Australian Government logo and the website URL: www.disabilitygateway.gov.au