Peter Freckleton certainly plans on rolling up his sleeve to have his COVID-19 jab.
The 74-year-old barrister and self-described “word nerd” (he has a doctorate in Linguistics) has never regained movement in his legs after contracting polio at the age of six.
In 1956, four years after he came down with the paralytic disease, the polio-vaccination was introduced. So Peter’s pretty keen on getting the COVID-19 jab – and with the colder months approaching, welcomes the extra layer of protection against the virus.
“It’s a great idea,” Peter says. “I’m pleased to be getting it.”
Peter, who is on a home care package through Uniting AgeWell, lives in Hampton with his wife, Victoria, and continues to lead a remarkable life.
“I get a bit of help with the house work and gardening, and recently I upgraded my wheelchair through the home care package,” he says.
The extra help frees Peter to do what he loves, including advocacy and research in his role as a board member of both Post Polio Victoria and Polio Australia.
Peter reckons there must be currently around 25,000 to 40,000 older Australians affected by polio, with many reporting symptoms appearing years after they contracted the virus.
Official statistics of up to 40,000 Australians contracting the disease between the 1930s - 1960s are believed to be the tip of the iceberg, with some estimates being greater.
Peter suffered what he calls “a double whammy” as a kid. At the age of six he was hit by a taxi which careered across the road and ploughed into a café. He broke his femur very badly, and spent a long time recuperating. He had just started walking again when he contracted polio.
“I was completely paralysed, I couldn’t raise my head off the pillow or move a finger,” Peter says. “I was in Fairfield Hospital for a very long time, and when I came out I was in callipers and used crutches. Over the years I graduated to a wheelchair, which was so much easier.”
He studied law at Melbourne University and then went on to do a Masters in Linguistics at Monash University before earning a scholarship from the French Government to study linguistics in Paris.
His steely determination was rivalled only by his powerful upper body strength, and Peter simply got on with the great joy and challenge of studying in Paris and living life to the full.
It was his love of the French culture that forged his bond with his wife of 20-years, who had spent many happy years living in New Caledonia.
Peter’s family life is also a richly woven tapestry.
He is a devoted step-dad to Victoria’s three children and six grandchildren. And as a sperm donor, he is also a doting dad to his 11-year-old son, and shares a close bond with the child’s parents.
Peter says there’s something very special about a blended family and he is quick to point out that while he has had some bad luck during his life, he’s pretty lucky to have a richly rewarding home life.
Peter continues with his busy life. He still practices law and in his spare time writes poetry (he has won a prize for one of his poems) and short stories, and also dabbles in a bit of painting.
“I’m living my best life at home,” he says, “and it’s pretty good.”
Find out more about Uniting AgeWell’s Home Care Packages here: https://unitingagewell.org/our...
