Young hope

Eleven-year-old Jhon Bateman was one of the main speakers at the launch of Disability Lib, a lottery-funded initiative which aims to bring more power to disabled people’s organisations. Could this early debut make him, like William Hague, a leader of the future? He tells Disability Now how he worries for our question compiler, how he hates being stared at and why he loved taking it to the top.

What’s the best thing about being disabled?
I get to see things from a different perspective and get to face challenges that make me tougher than the average 11-year-old.

What makes you angry?
When people stop and stare, because you can’t see my disability and I have to sometimes use a wheelchair.

What’s the funniest thing anyone’s ever said about your impairment?
There was a rumour circulating that there was no liquid in my bones (weird) and some people thought it didn’t hurt me any more when I broke a bone because I was used to it (weirder).

How do you deal with people who barf on about your impairment? Have you any good put-downs?
I love it because it gives me the chance to turn it around. I ask if they are doctors! When people stare, I ask dad to “take me back to the home, dear”.

What’s the one thing that could be invented to make your life as a disabled person easier?
A machine that made equality or failing that a cool trike for 11-year-olds.

What did you most like about making your speech?
Knowing that I was taking it to the top, that people who mattered would hear it.

And what did you not like?
About a minute before, I got scared, but then I just went for it. That felt good. I would love to be able to do it again.

Who is your favourite disabled person ever?
Ade Adepitan, because he is so cool. He starred in Beyond Boundaries and pushed himself to the limits. I aspire to that.

Do you have any special or hidden talent apart from public speaking?
My hidden talent is streetdance. My instructor adapts the lessons to suit me. My party trick is being able to put my feet around my head and the wrong way round (you should see my mum’s face).

If you didn’t have your impairment which other one would you like to have?
I worry for the person who thought of this one. I am happy with my own, I guess.