News 
 Local News 
 News 
 General 
 Disability no barrier to living life 

Disability no barrier to living life

16 Dec, 2009 04:00 AM
BOBBY Bajram wants to open up the eyes of the world to the lives of people with a disability.

The former Hoppers Crossing resident was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 13 - the youngest ever Australian male.

However, Mr Bajram, now 42, believes he started to suffer the symptoms of the debilitating disease when he was just eight.

"I used to play basketball and I remember losing the use of my legs and having double vision," he said.

"I couldn't understand what was wrong with me.

"It was very difficult back then, because so much was hidden about disabilities - society is more accepting these days."

People with MS can experience a variety of symptoms, including changes in sensation, muscle weakness and spasms, difficulties with co-ordination, balance and swallowing, speech problems and fatigue, along with acute or chronic pain.

Despite his ongoing battles with pain and the loss of some of his vision and mobility, Mr Bajram has refused to let it rule his life.

Two years ago, he hosted The MS Show on community television station Channel 31, which aimed to raise awareness and bring the reality of the disease into people's lounge rooms and hearts. It featured interviews with newly diagnosed people, researchers, carers, fund-raisers and volunteers, with a focus on their passion, their journey and their challenges.

Mr Bajram and his team at Million Dollar Productions have also produced a series of educational documentaries about disability issues.

His latest release, Beyond Closed Doors, is an eight-part series which takes a look

inside the world of Australia's brothels and strip clubs. "People with a disability are just like everyone else, we have sex and visit strippers," he said.

"This series explores the issues people don't want to talk about and is about breaking the stigma and giving us a voice.

"Too often we've been pushed in a corner, but I truly believe we can do whatever we put our minds to. Just because you're disabled, it shouldn't determine the course of your life.

"If you stay positive and believe in yourself you can do anything."

The series has attracted interest from overseas and will be screened on Foxtel's Aurora channel in March.

Print
Increase Text Size
Decrease Text Size

comments


No comments yet. Be the first to comment below.

post a comment


Screen name  *
Email address  *
Remember me?
Comment  *
 
We invite and encourage our readers to post comments. Comments are moderated and will appear as soon as our editor has approved them. When posting comments you agree to be bound by our Terms and Conditions.
Tackling taboos: Disability advocate and filmmaker Bobby Bajram has refused to let MS rule his life. Picture: Cathy Jackson
Tackling taboos: Disability advocate and filmmaker Bobby Bajram has refused to let MS rule his life. Picture: Cathy Jackson

Most popular articles

 SEND...
 SAVE...
 SHARE...