Community
19 November, 2025
Disabled? – no problem
FOR most people, a weekend in the great outdoors is a simple pleasure: a campfire, a spot by the river and a chance to unwind.
For Katie Hammond, it’s also a statement of resilience, independence and possibility.
Mrs Hammond, a mother of three and wheelchair user, has spent her life redefining what adventure looks like for people with spinal cord injuries.
Her journey began at 16, when a car accident left her with a spinal cord injury, forcing her to relearn everything from dressing herself to moving safely.
“I had no idea how I was supposed to do anything,” Mrs Hammond recalls.
“Every time I learned how to do something, I was being more and more inspired by the possibilities that were lying ahead.”
Her love for the outdoors, active lifestyle and determination didn’t stop after her injury.
Mrs Hammond, now a peer support team leader at Spinal Life Australia, has turned camping into both a personal passion and a way to guide others. She emphasises starting small and creating safe spaces for adventure.
“Starting slow, creating a safe space and learning about what I can do without and for how long is key,” she says. “With preparation, the sky’s the limit.”
Mrs Hammond and her husband have explored Far North Queensland extensively, from Elliot Falls and Fruit Bat Falls to Bramwell Station, often discovering accessible campsites along the way. She also enjoys fishing on these trips and proudly recalls catching a 98cm barramundi during a northern Queensland adventure, an exhausting but exhilarating feat she achieved with just a small hand reel.
Her role at Spinal Life Australia allows her to support people with newly acquired spinal injuries and their families, offering practical advice and lived experience. She challenges the misconception that disabilities limit outdoor adventure.
“There are so many ways people with disabilities can go camping,” Mrs Hammond explains. “Supporting people around you to find out how is the most important thing you can do to provide an amazing life for people with disabilities.”
