Cool Cat: Dave Hingsburger

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I was introduced to Dave Hingsburger’s blog, Rolling Around in My Head, by my friend Becca (from The Bates Motel). I don’t know how I hadn’t heard of it before though – Dave is HUGE in Canada – he’s like the top disability blogger there. And his blog is worth it  – he covers all kinds of interesting and sometimes unpopular subject material. You know, the stuff that doesn’t reek of the sap that the mainstream gobbles up, the inspiration porn or ‘whoa is me’ type of thick malarkey.

I’m delighted to have him here today and to introduce you to him and his excellent blog.

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Getting to Know You

 

Your name: Dave Hingsburger

 

What’s your connection with disability?

I have worked with people who have an intellectual disability for forty years. I have been a wheelchair user for 7 years.

 

Star Trek or Star Wars? Star Trek

 

If you could live in any other country for 2 years, where would you go?

I’d live in the UK. I love Northern Wales, my favourite bar in the world is in Manchester, I love the Hoe in Plymouth (that’s not what you think it is) … Newcastle – down by the river … Liverpool a pub that’s older than Canada and has amazing food … I could go on …

 

What dish would your bring to our community picnic potluck?

Joe’s potato salad (he makes the best), veggie meatloaf sandwiches and a bag of corn to roast

 

Now That We’ve Been Introduced…

 

What do you do:

I am the Director of Clinical and Educational Services for Vita Community Living Services, I am also in private practice as a lecturer, trainer and consultant. I’ve lectured in every province but one, every state but one, every part of the UK but one.

 

How did you come to doing what you do? How has your career trajectory flowed?

I did not have a ‘career path’ how I, an essentially shy and insecure person, became a lecturer and author – is anyone’s guess.

 

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

I would like to still be doing what I’m doing – but I’d like to be working a bit more in advocacy … particularly with the media.

 

Not to be morbid, but what do you want people to remember about you when you’ve gone?

That I tried to make a difference

 

Who or what inspires you?

I am inspired by spontaneous kindness. I cry when happy things happen.

 

About Disability

 

If you could say something to yourself in the past – that is, the you that was really struggling with something related to disability – what would you say?
Who you are is who you are and who you are is constantly evolving … make peace with every moment of every day. That is fully within your power.

 

What do you like about your particular disability?
I could say the parking … but outside that, I like the perspective of ‘outsider’ and I like being forced to THINK about my world, social and physical, in a whole new way.

 

Any one thing that you wish people would *get* about disability?
It just ‘is’ … that’s all. It doesn’t mean what you think it means, it just freaking is.

 

What single piece of technology makes your life easier?

My powerchair

 

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