Finding a Way

by Graeme Innes

Blind from birth, Graeme Innes was blessed. Blessed because he had a family who refused to view his blindness as a handicap and who instilled in him a belief in his own abilities. Blessed because he had the determination to persevere when obstacles were put in his way. And now, after a long and successful career – from lawyer to company director to Human Rights Commissioner – he has written his story. Finding a Way shares his memories of love and support, of challenges and failures, and of overcoming the discrimination so many people with disabilities face. He writes of the importance of family, the value of courage and the unique experience of a life without one sense but with heightened awareness of the others. Alongside his life story, Innes shares ideas on advocacy for people with disabilities and outlines what remains to be done to fully include people with disabilities in Australian society. This fascinating and moving book offers a new perspective on supporting diversity in our community.

Genres: Nonfiction

296 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2016

Reviews

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent memoir, which sparkles with Graeme's positive and practical approach, embodied in the title. I did some work for Vision Australia years when Graeme was chairman and it was obvious then that he was a special person. The book is quite moving and charming on a personal level, he also has lots of insights to offer on advocacy and leadership. It is also great on the development of disability and broader human rights legislation. Innes also affirms the importance of timely and appropriate interventions by the state. And he also demonstrates through his personal experiences the importance of individual actions and attitudes in promoting inclusiveness and overcoming discrimination.

[Tracey Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What astounded me about this book was the amount of time I spent completely forgetting Graeme is blind, not just because of his amazing achievements, but because of the richness of his descriptions. Graeme sets the new standard for how a disability can be a reason to not sit back but to get cracking … his empathy and strong moral imperative to strive for universal equity is endlessly inspiring.

[David Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book about a man's career. Innes has over come many obstacles and has been a great asset to the Australian people.

[Lena Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always good to know the other side of the coin, in this case, from the view point of a bureaucrat.

[MargCal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading ...Finding a Way / Graeme Innes … 09 Oct.2016
ISBN: 9780702254079

Finding a Way shows what can be done with support and determination – or should that be determination and support? Blind since birth, Graeme Innes has found a way for himself in a sighted world and also, through both his paid work as a lawyer on various commissions and as an activist, particularly in regards to blindness issues and organisations. But he has worked not only on blindness issues but also in the areas of disability generally, discrimination in many forms and human rights across the board.

It would have been helpful to have a brief CV to keep track of exactly how much, and with which commissions, various achievements (and acknowledged 'failures') were made. This book is written at the time his Commission work ended but it will need updating along the way to take in all the work he is doing in 'retirement'.

The book is damning in highlighting the discrimination and unnecessary limitations faced by people with disabilities, people of different races, people of various sexualities, and other minorities. It explains how many advances have been made – and Graeme is always emphasising the team aspect in making gains. At the end, Graeme rues the gains not made and the steady cuts to funding that have been happening over the past 20 years.

Graeme highlights things he learned along the way in helping to make changes. The book would make a handy reference for any activist (person or group) in how to organise, plan, strategise, get political to achieve goals, often in the face of opposition.

The book is easy to read, personal, engaging – and challenges our attitudes to difference.
Highly recommended.

Borrowed from my local library.