Ian McLean Spokesperson for the Green Party

Celebrate the success of Sue Hatchwell, who overcame severe odds – and 41 operations – to complete the recent REAL women's duathlon. Finishing was her mountain, and she climbed it.

These days, we provide wheelchair access to our infrastructure. Well done us.

Tony Christiansen, a Tauranga City Councillor who beetles about in a wheelchair, was able to get on with his new job without running a gauntlet of community complaints.
Mojo Mathers is our first MP with a serious disability. OMG! That might cost us something if we are to ensure that she can do the job with maximum effectiveness.

Mojo is a challenged person who is not just climbing her own mountains. She is actually providing leadership for those of us who are putatively unchallenged. I think we find that just a little scary.

Let's put political bias aside, overcome our fears, and ensure that she is resourced to do her job.

Ian McLean is a spokesperson for the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.