A SHERSTON resident with a rare disease is hoping to change perspectives on disability with his new video blog.

Fred Finch, 27, has spinocerebellar ataxia type 11, a rare disease which only around half a dozen people have worldwide according to recent research.

The disease affects the cerebellum in the brain, which affects movement, speech, balance and swallowing, among other things.

Fred says his disability makes it harder for him to find work and he hopes his candid new video blog will help people better understand how hard living with a disability can be.

“I’m trying to change the perception of people that have got disabilities,” he said.

“People look at people with disabilities differently.”

Fred says he hopes the blog will also provide some help to others who are going through similar struggles.

“I’m trying to help people who are going through the same thing,” he said.

“They’re not going to get the same opportunities.”

Fred currently volunteers at a charity in the centre of Malmesbury, however he says finding full-time work is difficult because of his disability.

This is partly because he can’t predict how it’s going to affect him day by day, so cannot commit himself to a full-time role.

“Walking is quite affected,” he said. “It’s always there but some days it’s really bad.

“I can’t really drive and can’t really stand in one place for long periods of time.

“I know some days if it’s going to be bad, so I try not to do as much. It wouldn’t be beneficial for me to do a lot as there is a chance for accidents.”

To hear what Fred has to say and to follow his blog updates, search My Shaky Life on Facebook or Youtube.