Breaking stereotypes around disability

Julian Peters broke his neck at the age of 17 after diving into a swimming pool. This incident left him confined to a wheelchair – but didn’t break his spirit.

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Cape Town - When Julian Peters broke his neck at the age of 17 his dream of becoming a professional cricketer was shattered.

The injury, which he sustained when diving into a swimming pool, left him confined to a wheelchair – but didn’t break the young man’s spirit. “While I was in rehab a lady told me: ‘Don’t worry, you don’t have to go back to school, people will look after you’. But I realised that wasn’t me. That wasn’t going to work for me.”

Peters, who was in Grade 10 at the time, finished his schooling and became determined to break the stereotypes around people with disabilities. “I like challenges. I like to be independent and there was no better way for me to show this than through education.”

And next week, after facing several challenges along the way, Peters, now 27, will graduate with a National Diploma in Human Resource Management from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).

Peters said he faced several hurdles when applying to tertiary institutions. “I wanted to study accounting. My father and I tried for four years, we applied at several universities. The doctor’s report said I’m a quadriplegic and need 24-hour care, and I think that scared them off.”

He said one person warned him that even able-bodied students found the course difficult and that a disabled person would face an uphill battle After several years of applying, he decided to change his plans and study human resources instead.

He was accepted to study at CPUT and said the institution’s disability unit, headed by Dr Nina du Toit, assisted him with everything he needed, including the necessary technology to help him in class.

Peters said he made use of a recorder at times, but usually a classmate would take notes for him. He received a head mouse (a computer mouse controlled by head movements) and types using a stylus, which he has to place in his mouth.

“My reason for studying is to show people that we are able to do things that able-bodied students can do. I want to break the stereotypes that people have. I realised that people with disabilities are almost hidden away.

“We have unlearn that able-bodied people are willing to help us, they just don’t know how to approach us. We must put ourselves out there and ask for help and we will get to know each other’s situation.”

Last year Peters started a part-time job in the library at the university’s Cape Town campus. “I work part-time in the library as a student assistant. I help them to set up wi-fi and assist them where I can.”

Peters, who has started studying towards his BTech degree, said he was looking forward to his graduation next week.

“I have never seen a graduation yet. It will be something new to me. I definitely plan to celebrate afterwards.”

ilse.fredericks@inl.co.za

Cape Argus