FOR '. EDIA TUESDAY, 22 JULY, 1980
THE LAUNCHING OF DR. JOHN HICKMAN' S BOOK,
" ONE STEP AT A TIME" ADELAIDE_____
One of the most pleasing results of a cask such as this is the
insight it provides into the life of one man, like Dr. Hickman,
proceeding through life's experiences, one step at a time.
Here is an entertaining and informative story of the day-to-day
problems caused by physical disability.
Because of books like this, we are made to stop and think about
what it means to be a disabled person in the modern world.
And such reflection is important.
Dr. Hickman brings to his task, most admirable credentials.
Most of us are familiar with his scholarship; it has been
widely acclaimed.
But one of the attractions of this book is that Dr. Hickman
leaves the scholastic world behind and gives us a simple
story of determination and perseverance; which reveals to us,
the courage, humour and humanity of its author:
The experiences he describes are quite outside our but
Dr. Hickman writes so vividly and presents his reflections so
well, that we become part of these experiences both the
lighthearted and the heavyhearted.
Underlying all this, the book is a story of triumph over
barriers that, to many, prove insurmountable.
Regrrett-)' bly, many of the; e barriers still exist;. not just th,
obvious physical barriers that confront the physically disabled,
but also, the more subtle barriers that are built into the
attitudes and prejudices of many people when they are dealing
with the disabled.
This book gies us an ex-cellent ple of an incividual
confronting these barriers. But it is also an example of ohe
way in which obstacles can be overcome; abilities and
potential realised. / 2
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The book demonstrates how important it is, with disabled
people, to emphasise the capabilities of the people rather
than the problems created by the disability.
In fact the phrase " disabled people" is an unhappy phrase
which attracts attention to disabilities first rather than
to the positive abilities, aptitudes and interests possessed
by people with handicaps.
This book rcarinds us of the si. gn i-ana assets anC potential
for growth possessed by one person with disabilities; and
in doing so it reminds us of the continuing challenge to
provid3 . h-a approp iate opportunities and proper en2ironment
for all -hp eope i handicaps.
I know these have been provided by the Crippled Childrens'
Association of South Australia since its inception in 1939.
In fact, Dr. Hickman's book is testimony to the fact that
the Association's motto, " Hope and Opportunity", is not just
a slogan but an active commitment to those with disabilities.
Dr. Hickman's account of his school days at Ashford House
demonstrates how the hope and the opportunity that he found
there complemented the support and encouragement he received
at home.
I have no doubt that many people owe their start in life to
Ashford House and the Crippled Children's Association of
South Australia.
The dedication of people like Miss Daphne Gum, the Director of
Ashford, to the needs of handicapped children, must never pass
unacknowledged. One of the most striking features about Dr. Hickman's book is
the limited emphasis that he assigns to his own achievements.
Many of us have read about these achievements the triumph
over difficulty; gaining a Ph. D; and obtaining a research
post at the A. N. U.
These arc achievements to which Tost of us would never aspire;
about -which any of us would be justifiably proud.
Yet, in his book, Dr. HIickman passes over this sort of thing
rather lightly.
It th~ a t the rea milestones of his career, are when he
comes to terms with some of the s implest tasks of everyday
living; spending a night away from home; cooking . a meal for
himself; emptying the vacuum cleaner; even hitting
Sir Garfield Sobers for six; and taking on the bureaucracy
and occasionally winning. / 13
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Problems like these confront many disabled people in
our community every day.
Because this book offers a means of understanding these
problems, it is necessary reading for us all, a positive statement
about life lived with disability.
Towards the end, in a chapter which Dr.. Hickman has called,
" Why Bother", he says, " to sor-eone who is born with
disabilities, being handicapped is natural".
Such a statement is in keeping with the confidence and
determination of the book's title One Step At A Time.
It is a motto for us all, in whatever we do..
It is an approach that we can profitably carry with us as
we go forward into the International Year for Disabled People
in 1981.
This year has the wholehearted support of the Federal
Government; and we are looking forward to it being a year of
action and achievement for handicapped people in Austral. ia.
And this must be sustained in succeeding years.
Improved care for the disabled is central to the Government's
commitment.
Over many years now, we have provided finance to community
organisations through the handicapped persons' welfare
programme. In this way, the Government has helped in the establishment
and operation of facilities for handicapped children and
adults.
Last year, the Government provided substantial funds to
eligible voluntary organisations under this programme.
We also encouraged the development of rehabilitation programles
to assist handicapped people who want so much to play a useful
part in the community.
Because of our belief in the great need. for this type of
assistance to be more freely available, the Government
in 1977 widened the eligibility criteria for remedial and
training programmes.
Wherv formerly, rehabilitation had been available only to tho.,; e
with a reasonable prospect of employment; in November 1977,
this was extended to the mentally and physically handicapped
to enable them to live independently in their own homes. / 4
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From that date onwards, this rehabilitation has been
provided free of charge.
And last year, the Commonwealth Government made increased
provision for this purpose.
Of course, declaring 1981 as the International Year for
Disabled Persons gives a new and important focus to all
these activities.
Above all, such a declaration provides all Australians
with an opportunity-to contribute to our national commitment
to handicapped people and I urge them to do so.
The CoIronrealth Mini. r: for Social Securi ty, Se. tor
Dame Margaret Guilfoyle, has been given special responsibility
for the co-ordination of Australian activities for this year
and planning for a number of special projects is already
under way.
There have been meetings of a Council of Commonwealth and
State Ministers at which activities for the year have
been discussed.
And there are State level planning committees composed of
Government and non-Government representatives, local action
and special interest groups.
One of the themes selected for IYDP in Australia is " Access
to Community Life".
Two aspects of this theme are the need to increase the
awareness in the community of the rights, abilities and potential
of disabled people, and the promotion of their integration
into community life through the elimination of barriers.
Dr. Hickman's book brings a new understanding and a new
confidence of the way in which these barriers can be confronted
and overcome.
The spirit, purpose and conviction which are alive in
One Step At A Time must be translated into all we do, all the
ti. me, for disabled persons.
I would like to congratulate the publishers, Rigby Lirited.
We all have good reason to be grateful to them;. not only because
of the lessons we can learn from reading the book; butalso,
because it is, in itself, an entertaining book.
It is good humoured, sometimes very funny, and, above all, very
readable. It is proof, if any more were needed, of the remarkable person
that Dr. Hickman is. His achievements and now this text have
inspired us all. It has been a great pleasure to be here with
you today, and I am delighted to officially launch One Step At
A Time. 000---