Brave conversations - attitudes, independence to public transport. Sharon Davies QSM JP

Sharon Davies (commonly known as Shaz) was born in Hamilton with a physical disability almost 60 years ago. She moved to Auckland at the age of 18 months. She lived at the Wilson Home in Takapuna until the age of 17. Since then, she has prided herself on living independently and became a staunch westie in the early 80’s. She is passionate about people and her local community. She is an active member on various local committees and trusts. They include: Celebrating Swanson, Corbans Estate Art Centre, Glen Eden RSA, Greater Glen Eden Network, Glen Eden Railway Station Trust, Ranui Community Centre, Swanson Railway Trust, Te Whau Environmental Pathway Trust, West Auckland Forest & Bird and West Auckland Riding for the Disabled. 

Up until June 2021, Shaz worked full time as PA to the Waitakere Ranges Local Board in Glen Eden. She chose to leave her job to focus on her community work. She was awarded ACC’s Spirit of Attitude and Supreme Award in 2012, received a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community in June 2013, wrote her life story in 2018 and became a Justice of the Peace in 2019. 

A couple of her biggest bugbears as a full-time wheelchair user include access to public spaces, public transport and the misuse of mobility parking. In her presentation on Thursday 11 May, she will share some of the brave conversations she’s had to have plus some personal insights living life to its fullest albeit having to navigate an inaccessible environment. She will also have copies of her book available for sale at a reduced cost of $20 each.

This is one of the public conversations in the series Mind The Gap: Topics worth talking about.