Sue-Ellen Lovett lives in total darkness, but it hasn’t stopped her from shining bright. Born with Retinitis Pigmentosa (tunnel vision) and myopia (“super dooper short sightedness,” as she calls it), Sue-Ellen is totally blind. She is also a Paralympian, an author, a cancer survivor, an Australia Day Ambassador, fundraiser, and recipient of an Order of Australia Medal.
Sue-Ellen says she is a self-starter but also credits her achievements to the support of family, friends, and many others. Yet, daily life used to feel isolating and for someone who has achieved extraordinary things, it is surprising to learn that Sue-Ellen was unable to leave her home most days.
“Living on a farm with a husband who works, I lived my life indoors and spent much of my time on my own,” Sue-Ellen said. “Even going out the front door could be dangerous because of brown snakes or other hazards I couldn’t see.”
But profound change for Sue-Ellen came in the form of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
“Before the NDIS I never used to go out, I couldn’t afford to pay people to take me places and do things with me. So, NDIS has been a game changer in so many ways. For my mental stability as well. It has given me a life and a quality of life that I didn’t have before,” Sue-Ellen said.
With the help of a support worker, Sue-Ellen can now meet friends, go shopping, take riding lessons, and grow her public speaking business.
“Before the NDIS I couldn’t do any of that, none of it! When you sit at home and you have time to think and dwell, it gets pretty dark and horrible. And you can’t always see a way out. So, the NDIS is just incredible.
“I can have someone come out and help me with the gardening… it has made me feel not so bloody useless, and that is a big thing. It gives me purpose—reasons to get up in the morning,” Sue-Ellen says, adding that support from her local area coordinator from Social Futures, Danielle, has been essential.
“At Social Futures, they treat you as an individual. When it comes to disability, one size doesn’t fit all, it just doesn’t work that way. Every person is an individual, and disability affects people differently.”
This International Day of People with Disability, on Tuesday 3 December, Sue-Ellen wants the world to know that vision is more than seeing and that we all need to look for the ability in disability.
“There are so many people out there who are overlooked or put in a corner,” she says. “I have never been told I can’t do something. And I strongly believe this day is a time for people with disability to show the world what they CAN do – and for us all to stop focusing on what they can’t blinking do!”
Growing up on a 21,000-acre property in Mudgee, NSW, Sue-Ellen loved being outdoors with horses, mustering with the help of her father, who she calls her hero. With her mother and sister also being totally blind, and a brother who is an amputee, Sue-Ellen’s family believed in living without limits. “We all just got on with it, we weren’t given excuses. It wasn’t tough love—it was about living the best life possible.”
Guide dogs entered Sue-Ellen’s life in her twenties. “Before that I had a white cane which I didn’t like so much” she says. To give back to Guide Dogs Australia, she organised a charity horse ride from Mudgee to Melbourne, raising $36,000—enough to train six guide dogs. This ride was the first of ten, including a 2,400km ride from Cairns to the Gold Coast. Over the years, Sue-Ellen has raised over $3 million for charities close to her heart.
Her accomplishments don’t stop there. Sue-Ellen competed in the Paralympics in Atlanta and Sydney, earned a bronze medal at the 1999 World Dressage Championships, and is among the top 10% of Australia’s elite dressage riders.
Reflecting on her successes, Sue-Ellen emphasises the importance of teamwork. “It was the help of all these amazing people. It is really important to remember the thank you’s in your life. The people who help make it happen.”
Sue-Ellen’s autobiography, The Blind Chick, highlights her journey and is available at theblindchick.com.au.
Social Futures is a proud NDIS partner. More than 660,000 Australians are receiving supports from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
For more information about Social Futures’ NDIS delivery call the LAC Hotline Monday – Friday 8:30-4:30pm on 1800 522 679 or email [email protected]
