It was a single match of table tennis – a sport Bruce both didn’t enjoy nor claimed to be any good at – that led him to a 37-year career in the print industry where he met his wife and found his voice for disability activism.
At the age of 20, during a game of table tennis, a friend encouraged Bruce to apply for a job at Tadpac, one of Uniting’s social enterprises. Established in 1965 by a group of people living with disabilities, Tadpac is a Uniting-owned print service based in Tasmania.
Throughout his almost four-decade career at Tadpac, Bruce became a passionate advocate for other people living with disabilities.
“Bruce is a strong champion for our supported employees,” said Uniting Disability Services Coordinator, Vanessa.
“He is really committed to sharing his life experiences with the other supported employees to encourage them to pursue any dream they have. To not let their disability hold them back from anything.”
When reflecting on his life, Bruce has no regrets.
“Looking back, playing table tennis was probably one of the smartest things I ever did because I got a job at Tadpac where I met my wife,” said Bruce.
After 39 years together, Bruce still holds his wife Jo as one of his greatest motivators.
“Jo gives me the strength to go on. When she was younger, she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and given 12 months to live,” said Bruce.
“She was determined to prove everyone wrong. And she did. I take a lot of my inspiration from Jo.”
Retired now, Bruce still lends a hand at Tadpac as a volunteer.
“After an amazing 37-year career, I wanted to give back to Tadpac,” he said. “I want to thank them for having faith in me and my ability.”
To learn more visit tadpac.com.au