This appears most unlikely at present as sales are very slow and with dialysis three times a week I have very little spare time to devote to promoting my book, which is called “If I Can Do It…”. My life has been dedicated to helping others to become motivated and encouraging them to keep their minds occupied on things they CAN do, rather than dwell on things they CAN’T do.

The back cover of my book, as written by my brother, tells it this way: “This book tells the story of Australian entertainer, Colin James. Confined to bed or a wheelchair since the age of three-and-a-half, Colin, despite all the odds, has achieved more than many able-bodied men could hope to achieve in a lifetime. Described as, “Australia’s Little Giant of Entertainment”, he has entertained thousands on stage, television and radio, written songs, poems, newspaper articles and an accommodation guide-book for wheel-chair travellers, and presented many motivational addresses to groups and clubs.

Somehow, he has also found time to travel overseas, marry three times, pioneer competition dart playing with a blow-pipe, and receive an OAM for significant, unselfish service to the community! This book tells the whole story, warts and all, of Colin’s inspiring, courageous and irrepressible journey. Hold on for one amazing, true life adventure!”

I would like to become more involved with the NDIS and do what little I can to assist in making life easier for people with physical (and mental) limitations. I dislike using the word ‘disability’ as I believe we all have limitations of one form or another.

I live in Bendigo, Victoria

:O)) Stay positive I shall :O)

We have and continue to work and pay for everything without a break because we are trying to shore up for three of us for the future – not to be government dependent and because we are responsible enough to recognise that there are families worse off than us.

And we realise that government funding goes to much more important community projects (I shan’t begin to list them here) that are vote catchers or to the vocal minority etc etc!

We have never had First Home Owners Grant, Baby Bonus, Paid Maternity Leaver or any of the other govt funded ‘let’s make life easier’ schemes. We have struggled to buy our home and pay our way on our own – no handout from our parents, nor contributions from anyone else.

Our son is totally and permanently disabled and has been since birth and we can’t even get him included on our HBA because he is over 25 and not a student. This means we pay just on $6000 per year in medical benefits!!!!! A letter to the Marketing Manager at HBA following a customer satisfaction survey they had commissioned didn’t even rate the courtesy of a reply!

Any time he needs equipment – wheelchair updates and bathroom modifications to accommodate his deteriorating condition and changing needs – funding applications can take up to 12 months to process and be successful. Success usually means part of the funding with the rest having to be sourced and provided by ourselves.

We have both worked and paid tax since the age of 14. We both work and manage with meagre the morning care from 7.00am till 8.45 am which most morning allows me to get to work only 15 minutes after the designated starting time. My husband goes to work at 5.30 am so that he is home to get our son off the bus when it arrives at 3.30pm.

At our age 59 and 62 respectively with no positive end in sight and a child of 31 who has been disabled since birth and therefore has attracted no compensation of any kind I am really angry that on the limited occasions when we actually put up our hand and ask for help – which is reluctantly requested and which doesn’t in any way, shape or form indicate the depth and breadth of the private struggle we go through for the other 98% of any year that it is not easily forthcoming.