A short video showing how I transfer into my car and load my wheelchair has now received more than 1.5 million views on Facebook.
It has also attracted more than 36,000 likes, 1000+ shares and 1 comments.
I certainly did not expect that response. What feels like an ordinary part of my day has clearly surprised and interested people around the world.
What is happening in the video?
In the video, I open the back of my car, position myself beside the driver’s seat and transfer from my wheelchair into the car.
Once I am safely in the driver’s seat, I use an AbiLoader to load my wheelchair into the rear of the vehicle. The wheelchair is lifted and stored securely, the system closes, and I am ready to drive away using hand controls.
The entire process allows me to get into my car, load my wheelchair and travel independently without another person having to help me.
Independence can look different
Before becoming a paraplegic, getting into a car was something I never had to think about. I opened the door, got in and drove away.
After my injury, that simple everyday task became something I had to relearn.
It took time, rehabilitation, an occupational therapy driving assessment, lessons with a disability driving instructor and the right vehicle modifications. Regaining my driver’s licence took me approximately three years.
That licence gave me back far more than the ability to drive. It gave me freedom, independence and the confidence to go where I needed to go without always relying on someone else.
What is an AbiLoader?
The AbiLoader is an automated wheelchair-loading system fitted to the rear of a vehicle.
It allows me to load and retrieve my wheelchair while remaining in the driver’s seat. This is particularly important because once I transfer into the car, I cannot simply stand up and place the wheelchair in the back myself.
The system does that job for me.
Adaptive equipment such as this can make an enormous difference to the independence of a wheelchair user. The right solution will depend on the person, their wheelchair, their transfer ability and the type of vehicle they drive.
Why did this everyday moment connect with so many people?
To me, this video shows a normal part of my routine. However, many of the comments made me realise that people had never seen how a wheelchair user might independently transfer, load their chair and drive.
Some viewers were interested in the technology. Others commented on the transfer itself or said they had never considered the amount of planning involved in what appears to be a simple journey.
That is one reason lived experience matters.
Disability does not automatically mean the end of driving, travel or independence. Sometimes it means finding a different way of doing things and having access to the right equipment, training and support.
Life did not stop after my injury
I became a paraplegic following an accident in Nepal in 2018. My life changed completely, and rebuilding it has required patience, determination and a great deal of support.
Today, I drive independently, travel domestically and internationally, advocate for safer and more accessible air travel, and share practical advice with other wheelchair users.
There are still barriers. There are also possibilities that people may not know exist until they see someone else doing it.
That is why I share moments like this.
Travel isn’t over, it’s just different
Whether I am driving across Sydney or flying overseas, preparation and the right equipment help make independent travel possible.
If you are new to using a wheelchair, returning to travel after an injury or supporting someone with a disability, you can find practical, lived-experience guidance throughout this website.
Travel isn’t over, it’s just different.