Why a blog called WheelchairJohn?
WheelchairJohn shares how I navigate life with an acquired disability as a Christian.
Life isn’t about what happens to you. Life is about how you respond to what happens to you.
Email me here.
What happened to you?
At age 44, I almost died and acquired a complete SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) at the T3/T4 level (the chest level). My spinal cavity developed a cyst, medically known as a Syringomyelia. This causes pain levels so severe, and I considered death a better alternative. Click here for the blog that shares details of the accident.
However, life is still worth living, and I live a fulfilling and happy life—Albeit, with many challenges.
Why use the domain WheelchairJohn.com?
Wheelchairjohn is a lousy way of describing me, as I am John Duthie, who uses a wheelchair, who has a spinal injury, and chronic pain, who follows Jesus, and many other things.
However, Wheelchairjohn is easy to remember and sounds better than johnwheelchair, or johninawheelchair or other combinations.
More about me
My site is located at www.johnduthie.com, and the following is a summary.
I was born on 31 July 1965 at the Queen Victoria Hospital at Rose Park, Adelaide. My parents were Alexander and Joyce Duthie, and I was an only child. I had a happy upbringing.
My education included Payneham Kindergarten, Payneham Infant School, Payneham Primary School, Marden High School, and later the South Australian Institute of Technology where I completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Studies.
My working career commenced as a junior programmer with the Department of Defence in Canberra ACT and finished as a team leader/project manager with South Australia Police. In between, I worked at SAGASCO (SA Gas Company), ETSA (the Electricity Trust of South Australia), JIS (Justice Information System), Department of Correctional Services, and Zedz Cafe (in Adelaide Central Market).
I’ve worshipped and served at various churches, including the Salvation Army, and most recently at Rise Church, Northgate. Having a Faith is essential to me, although, at times, my relationship with the church was strained, as I like to think for myself.
I married my wife in 1991, Jasmine was born in 1998, and Benjamin in 1999. Commencing late 2009, I spent 16 months in the hospital, became separated from my wife in 2012, and continued to live with and support my children. Jasmine and Ben are now married, and I live alone with a stray cat that adopted us and is called Spartacus.
Hi John, you are such an inspiration as I was reading your blog. God is amazing and He can use us in different ways to bless and inspirer others. Today, an amazing friend gave to my children a lovely Colouring Book called “ Colour the Bible “ done by you. We would love to thank you so much for your kindness. The children are enjoying the colourings. May The Lord continue to bless you and keep up the good works. God bless. Regards from Sandra, Lucas & Isabella.
Hi Sandra
Thank you for your thoughts. As the colouring book was my first attempt at this type of book, I’m still trying to get the cover to look good. I’m almost there and have created another book too about the animals of the world. Thanks