Disability can happen at any age. Nobody knows this better than Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) Program client Chris Spencer; at the age of 28, Chris Spencer was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.
As Chris struggled at first to come to terms with his diagnosis, being around people living with a disability helped him to understand and learn how to adjust his lifestyle.
Before his diagnosis, Chris enjoyed playing a wide range of sports: football, cricket, soccer and basketball. He also umpired cricket and football games. Ever determined to maintain his quality of life after his diagnosis, Chris pivoted to the Push & Power wheelchair sports at St Clair & Regency Park. He played wheelchair hockey, basketball and rugby and balloon soccer for ten years.
Throughout his life, Chris has always enjoyed being a handyman. After he left school, he worked at Stratco, helping customers with their home improvement projects. He then worked in the maintenance team at Munro Australia for 25 years, servicing all machinery and conducting chemical analysis of water refineries and reverse osmosis machinery. Although he needed to retire at age 50 after his mobility had reduced, Chris remains helpful, and likes to help fix his friends wheelchairs “if it’s a small job”.
“If a friend ever needed something fixed or looked at, I’m always happy to help where I can.”
Chris is an active member and advocate for people living with a disability in his community. He has served on various committees, including the advisory committee for Muscular Dystrophy South Australia to inform on matters of accessibility. He also provides a listening ear and advice for people who are having to adjust to living with a disability, as he did earlier in his life.
Outside of his community work, Chris loves socialising, seeing family when they travel from interstate and catching up with friends. You can find Chris around the beach in summer, whether at Glenelg or Brighton jetty. All year round, Chris loves taking trips to Bunnings for his various projects.
As a DSOA client, Chris receives in-home support while maintaining a high level of independence. Enhanced Lifestyles provides Chris with personal care, domestic assistance and meal preparation. The support he receives allows him to spend more quality time with his wife Trudy, who is also an Enhanced Lifestyles customer and our Chairperson.
“I’ve always lived with determination, letting nothing get in my way. I also understand my limitations as well.”
Enhanced Lifestyles supports the Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) Program. If you’d like support while maintaining your independent lifestyle like Chris, complete our contact form or speak to one of our passionate team members by calling 8340 2000.
