The Journey

Christopher had a hard time at school. He was often in hospital, so when he did get to class he was so far behind that he was seen as a nuisance. It didn’t help when he tested out with a high IQ because then, as now, many people believed that ‘getting better’ was simply a matter of willpower, although there were times in hospital when he was expected to die. So he ‘failed’ school.

In 1981, at a sheltered workshop, the young Christopher was inspired when he met John, who astoundingly was both disabled and had a degree. Until then he hadn’t believed this was possible. At the same time he was horrified by the treatment of people with disabilities, as something ‘other’, that ‘normal’ folk wouldn’t even share a table with at lunchtime, let alone see as being like themselves, or nice to know.

This was to be the start of a lifelong journey of education and work for acceptance of those groups that are treated as different, or “other”, therefore undeserving of respect or regard for their human dignity, abilities or potential.

After his application to the University of Tasmania was rejected, the Tasmanian State Institute of Technology in Launceston (TSIT, later to merge with the University) went out of their way to help him achieve his dream. In 1987 he gained his BA by distance education. Now, with a cluster of degrees (including a Masters and PhD), fellowships, books and publications, he uses his education and perseverance to attack the attitudes that made life so hard for him.

“Disease labels don’t define me” he says when his own condition is mentioned. His lungs, spine, muscles and joints don’t work properly, but he knows that is only a part of the human being that he is.

Along the way Christopher remained lonely and often depressed. He saw himself as unlovable, definitely not sexy, and with little to give. Then, during another bout in hospital he met Jill, the nurse who took him weekly out to teach, a major task where wheelchair access was for students, but not lecturers. She was to become his beloved wife, and he often writes and speaks of the joy his marriage has brought him in every way, of love both given and received and the renewed sense of purpose it brings to his life.

Christopher’s near-death experiences have also deeply reinforced his spiritual belief and sense of purpose. He has been ordained into the priesthood and combines the post of Associate Professor in Medical Ethics at the University of Tasmania with Associate Priest and Canon of St David’s Cathedral, Hobart.

His own knowledge and experience of suffering, and what it is to be an ‘outsider’ have enriched his spiritual work, and provide a unique perspective to his teaching, his writing, his challenges to accepted thinking and his contributions to a number of boards and advisory committees.

What drives him?

A desire to see a society which embraces all, including those who are, for whatever reason, treated as deserving neither regard or respect from their fellow humans, who are falsely regarded is being something less than full human.

Outrage at the discrimination and lack of care for the vulnerable in society, or groups which the majority has chosen to despise.

Determination to open people’s eyes to what they are doing, to make them aware that they are accepting unacceptable behaviour, and of what they can do to change it.

His advice

We each make a difference by our own behaviour.

Every day we can choose to accept or reject the everyday abuse, everyday degradation of dignity of different groups of people, those who are seen as different or ‘other’ than ourselves. They may be of other race, other gender, other sexual preference, other set of abilities, or any kind of ‘other’ that the majority decides is different.

By turning our backs, laughing it off or even embracing the behaviour we end up reinforcing it, and keeping it alive. So it’s important, not only to be aware, but also to choose deliberately to reject behaviour that demeans others, or ourselves.

Concerns

‘Lesser classes’ of people, almost subhuman, are created through prejudice, ignorance, culture or apathy. We’re all implicated in this ‘othering’, for example through vilification of gays, racial taunts, ignoring the needs of people with disabilities. It’s important to get over this attitude, to be more accepting of all humans, however different they may at first appear.

Christopher is concerned to tackle the cause of these behaviours. He looks at the structural issues, at WHY some groups are singled out for discrimination and not others. He is also concerned open people’s eyes to what is happening in front of them, and what they themselves may be, even unthinkingly, supporting.

Humanitarian Activities

Christopher works through his teaching, his writing, his ministry, public speaking, and his major contributions to many boards and committees, although every day involves medication and pain.

The University of Tasmania said that this “teacher, ethicist, human rights activist and Anglican priest has given sustained and extraordinary service to the community with great merit and at great personal cost, in the service of people with disabilities and in the service of medical education, bioethics, pastoral care, telecommunication, and community development.” (2004 Distinguished Alumni Award)

Information about this remarkable man, his work, his books, and the numerous honours that he has received in consequence of the extraordinary contribution that he has made to the community can be found at his pages as an Associate Priest (St David’s Cathedral, Hobart), and Associate Professor (University of Tasmania).

 

The Committee is supported by the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner. For more information about nominations for the Award, or Human Rights Week activities please contact Santi Mariso, Conciliation and Community Education, Tel 03 6216 4427, or Email santi.mariso@justice.tas.gov.au