I DO

Roy is the President of Self Advocacy Sydney. Katie is currently between jobs. They’re both getting used to married life. Roy has an Intellectual Disability and Epilepsy.

Katie has an intellectual disability and a hearing impairment.

‘If I hadn’t met the Strikes, I would have never believed that someone with any form of disability could get married. I was about 31 when we decided to have a serious relationship. Before that I thought I would never have a girlfriend because of my disability. Deep down I feel as though it’s a real shame that two people with disabilities have to marry each other (nothing against Katie) simply because people in the ‘normal’ world wouldn’t accept us. I don’t know. At one stage I thought I knew what a girlfriend was. I saw a few people I wanted to go out with. Unfortunately, dating was not successful for me. When Katie and I first started going out, it was as if I had slammed into a concrete wall with a feeling that I had never had before in my life. That was when I finally believed I knew what love was. Obviously, both of us have our own disadvantages. This has not been easy but I have to date and will continue to devote my life to her. Why should I describe her physically (weight etc.) when I know what love is? It makes no difference to the feeling I have had from day one.’

ROY McALPINE Sydney NSW Australia, 2000

‘I thought I would never get married or have boyfriends because of my disability and I thought that everyone hated me. Roy is a lovely person and he has helped me to do what I want from day one.’

KATIE McALPINE Sydney NSW Australi, 2000