John McCartan

My name is John, I've moved to London 12 years ago. Before the stroke happened I was a perfectly healthy man with only old age to deal with. 

I’ve had the stroke 3 years ago and that’s the cause of my ''disability'', but I prefer the term physically challenged. I don't think of myself as disable or anything. I am able to walk short distances with a cane or crutches according to the pain, of late I've started to rely on a wheelchair often when out and about. My right arm is starting to come back, slowly, but meanwhile I have adapted very well, to using my left, and there's little that I cannot do. My speech is very clear now after months of rehab, and my cognitive functions were never really affected.

People see me in this chair and some immediately look away, some look at me with pity or sympathy, others go out of their way to assist me in some way. What I would like them to know, is that I do not suffer, I am not in any pain and I wonder why I warrant special thought and attention just because of this chair? I'm not saying I don't appreciate it, just that everyone deserves basic human kindness and consideration.

I need a carer to aid me in the general household duties and sometimes with my own personal care. I also go to recovery therapy session which requires me to be driven there.

I worked as a security guard at a TV station, a job a rather enjoyed as it put me in constant contact with people.