A level playing field: A young woman’s quest for equality

Perhaps it has something to do with having cerebral palsy, perhaps not. But nothing annoys 22-year-old Lil Prucha more than being told ‘no’.

“I’m definitely a boundary pusher,” Lil said. “Just ask my dad!”

Born with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects her motor skills and physical mobility, Lil has faced her share of obstacles from an early age. Still, she refused to be denied opportunities.

“Having cerebral palsy definitely has its challenges and I don’t always love the body that I have, but I think it has made me a very determined and resilient person,” Lil said.

“I’m constantly pushing to do more, especially when others don’t think I can.”

The burden of ableist attitudes

Lil is a young woman with dreams and ambitions and a quest for equality. For many people living with disability, this quest is fraught with obstacles stemming from deeply ingrained ableist attitudes and misconceptions.

“The way I am treated socially is what gets to me the most,” Lil explained.

“As a 22-year-old young adult, I want to be treated as such, yet I frequently have people infantilise me, talk down to me and sometimes just straight up ignore me.

“The overall way disabled people are viewed and the ableism that is ingrained into our society is an issue itself that I can’t just overcome - but by surrounding myself with people who support me, and by advocating for myself, I can create a healthy environment in which I can thrive and begin to change the system.”

A level playing field

Wheelchair rugby is an intense physical team sport that challenges views of disability.

“I absolutely love wheelchair rugby,” Lil said.

“Having the consistency of training, gym and the camaraderie of the team has massively helped me with my mental health and managing my disability.”

Lil said Rebound WA – an organisation that aims to remove barriers for people with physical disability so they can have the same participation opportunities as their able-bodied peers – has been very influential in helping her achieve her sporting goals.

“I wouldn’t have been able to pursue rugby this far without the assistance of Rebound WA. I’m incredibly grateful for their support as they have provided me with the necessary equipment to play, as well as financial assistance to travel over east for the National League Rounds.”

No one can do everything

“I regularly have people come up to me and say they are so impressed to see me at the gym or out and about shopping, even though me being there really is no different to them being there.

“I might need to work harder to do what they can do but, in the end, we are all just trying to be the best we can and that doesn’t change because I’m disabled,” Lil said.

“When it comes to addressing the misconceptions on a personal level - I often burn the candle at both ends as I want to do everything and prove myself as being capable and unstoppable.

“The truth is that I’m not capable of everything and I have to remind myself that that’s okay and that no one, no matter how capable they are, can do everything - everyone needs breaks and deserves rest.

“But I have a lot of goals I’m working towards, like getting my license, saving up for a house and wanting to travel the world - but things take time and I’m trying not to rush myself and just do things at my own pace.

“I love working hard and achieving the goals I set - but it’s no good achieving them and then being so exhausted that you can’t enjoy it. I’m still learning how to find that balance!”

Lil hopes that the strength and confidence she gains from playing wheelchair rugby will help her to achieve her goals.

Rebound WA is a charitable association assisting Western Australians living with a physical disability to lead fuller, more active and more connected lives. Visit the website to find out more.