WITH a “go get ’em” attitude, 39-year-old Michelle Mullane is almost unstoppable.
The Newmarket parishioner paused briefly to share with The Leader about being the first person with a disability to complete a Certificate IV in theology through the Institute of Faith Education (IFE).
She’s also notched up 20 years as a volunteer in many areas of Brisbane archdiocese.
“My disability doesn’t stop me,” Michelle said.
“I’m not very good with pen and paper but I can talk.”
Honest-talking Michelle studied theology in 2003.
That was a springboard to helping co-ordinate reflection days for people with a disability in the archdiocese.
It also led to a role in the development of the archdiocesan statement on disability and inclusion, “Sign of the Kingdom”.
Michelle is still on hand to give support in its implementation.
Disability inclusion officer for the Faith and Life Vicariate in Brisbane archdiocese Deacon Anthony Gooley said Michelle’s help was invaluable.
“She visits deaneries and parishes with me to assist in the implementation of Sign of the Kingdom,” Deacon Gooley said.
“Michelle is a passionate advocate for inclusion of people with disabilities in Church and society.
“She is someone who wants to and has made a difference.”
Deacon Gooley described Michelle as “a very loyal friend who keeps track of people in the disability network and cares for them in many practical ways”.
Michelle is also a sacristan at St Ambrose’s Church, Newmarket, the church of her childhood and on-going involvement.
“I do the Sunday Mass, the Wednesday morning Mass for the school and funerals,” she said of volunteering in the now Jubilee parish.
“(And) I love the kids’ Masses.
“The church can’t survive without me.”
Michelle attended Mitchelton Special School and then Mt Maria College, Mitchelton.
She graduated from Mt Maria in her 20s where there were “many great subjects” for her to pursue.
Nowadays Michelle also cares for two children aged 13 and eight years outside school hours.
She’s known them since they were born and is an integral part of the fabric of their family.
An uncle, Fr Michael Mullane, is a “semi-retired priest” in New South Wales.
Michelle said she was “from a family of Catholics” and they “keep in touch”.
Within all this activity it’s hard to know when Michelle rests.
The short answer is she doesn’t, much.
A car accident about 10 years ago, that almost took her life, is largely responsible for her need to be “on the move”.
Her hips were damaged as a result of the accident but this cannot be helped by surgery, and her hips don’t function as they should.
“I really shouldn’t be here,” Michelle said of the accident.
“I’m in pain constantly … I have swelling joints and arthritis.
“I’m always in pain, never out of pain.”
Michelle said she was born with malformed hips but the accident “brought everything on by 20 years”.
She also has scoliosis of the spine and a knee with “bone on bone” after years of playing netball.
Michelle said her movement helps her “stay out of a wheelchair”.
“If I don’t move around I start to get pins and needles,” she said.
“Sitting down is no good for me.
“(And) I look at myself and say, ‘I’m still here, I’ve got to keep going’.”
There are “lots of people worse off”, she said.
Spurring Michelle forward is a love for the Catholic Church and the people of God.
“If I didn’t have faith in God I don’t know what I would do,” Michelle said.
“It keeps me busy.”
Michelle enjoys socialising, relaxing with crosswords and competition Scrabble in Red Hill.
She makes her own greeting cards “instead of watching TV”.
Michelle doesn’t use a computer and prefers to “talk to people”.
“I would talk all day if I had to,” she said.
Her advice for others with a disability is to “just get out there and get moving”.
“You can get knocked back but get back on your feet and keep going,” she said.
“If you sit down you won’t go anywhere.”
