Meet JOHN HARVEY, a member of DARTS

During lockdown our DARTS (Disabled Alternative Road Travel Service) group have not only enjoyed the new friendships made by connecting online but they also shared personal stories of with each other. One of our members, John, has kindly shared his story with us which gives an insight to his family, achievements, and fierce independence that makes John the caring, kind, and passionate person he is.

Meet John Harvey

“I was born in Goulburn in country NSW. Not much was known about cerebral palsy and my parents took me to several specialists in Sydney until they were advised to take me to the Spastic Centre, now the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. I started as an outpatient when I was about 3-years-old until a vacancy came at the country hostel at Mossman. I started there when I was 6-years-old.

The Cerebral Palsy Alliance moved to Allambie Heights to a bigger place, and I did all my schooling there gaining the last Intermediate Certificate. I returned home to Goulburn for a couple of years but there was nothing to do so returned to Sydney and worked in the sheltered workshop in the office until 1988 when I gained a job in the Department of Fair Trading and worked in the city and Parramatta for a couple of years until I accepted a voluntary redundancy in 2006. In 2000 I was awarded the Public Service Medal for my work and raising money for Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

Before I could work in open employment, I had to live in the community so started by renting and then decided to buy my own unit. At the age of nearly 40 I had to learn to cook, shop, pay bills and be independent. I have been in the same unit for over 30 years.

My main interests are watching sport, swimming, travelling, and playing chess. I learnt chess at school and when I was old enough I joined the chess club at Manly Leagues Club. I was the only disabled player there. After about 20 years I gave it away. A few years later a friend told me about computer chess so I have been playing for about the last 10 years in tournaments against players from all over the world and have won 2 tournaments so far.

I travelled a lot when I was younger with a group on a few overseas trips and by myself on numerous trips around Australia. It is harder now, but I have travelled with a couple of friends. I have a pen pal in Canada and have been there twice and she has been here 4 times.

Pictured: John in Thailand before lockdown

I have a sister who lives in an Aged Care Home in Sydney and a brother who lives in Melbourne. I also have a niece, nephew, great nephew and another due in November. The whole family celebrates Christmas in Melbourne each year.

I was at a concert at Dee Why RSL one night and bought a drink and asked a lady to take it to my table. The lady was Maxine who drove buses for DARTS. She told me about DARTS and I joined and now go on various outings and online activities. I also go on social outings with Easylink who cater for people over 65. I go on mystery drives where we go somewhere every fortnight and usually have lunch at a club.

I value my independence. When I was very young I had to accept that I could not do things like other kids. When I was about 50, I again had to accept that I could not walk as well so reluctantly bought a mobility scooter and a walking frame which maintains my independence which is so important to me.”