Meet Bill and Sharen Lane, who despite disability and illness keep on trucking

Bill and Sharen’s travels around Oz have inspired thousands of fans. Then their engine blew in Gawler and something extraordinary happened.

Meet Bill and Sharen Lane. They’re not your regular grey nomads, they’re not even close.

The pair have overcome massive adversity, disability and illness in their dedication to adventure and “living, not simply existing”.

In 2013 Bill, who has had nine heart attacks, two strokes and a broken back, sold his house with Sharen who suffers from epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and has had a stroke, to buy a caravan and a four-wheel drive.

Bill and Sharen Lane in front of their caravan and ute. Picture Jason Katsaras

True to their motto of “living”, the couple have travelled the country, chronicling their adventures on a Facebook page, ‘Bill and Sharen on the road’, which has attracted thousands of followers much to their surprise.

However after an eight year run with no major hiccups, their adventure stalled in Gawler when the motor in their vehicle blew after 340,000km.

They were up for a $10,000 bill to replace the engine.

After making a plea for assistance on Facebook, within 24 hours their followers pulled together for half the repair bill, before a business in Sydney chipped in the rest.

Mr Lane said he is staggered at the support and without it, they couldn’t have afforded a new vehicle.

He said he never dreamt their Facebook page would become so popular “because (they’re) disabled”.

“We thought because we’re both disabled the page would go down terribly online, but people are so supportive,” he said.

Bill and Sharen Lane under their canopy having a yarn. Picture Jason Katsaras

“I think why people react well is because we’re willing to give it a go and not give up – I get a lot of disabled people asking me how do you do this and we encourage them to get out and have a go.”

Mr Lane, who cares full time for his partner, has been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in April, leaving him dependent on oxygen, further complicating their adventure.

The couple married in 1995 after Bill met Sharen volunteering at Modbury Hospital, saying she was “so beautiful, and she grew on me like warts”.

Bill said Sharen’s epileptic seizures used to occur three times a week, but when they hit the road to 2013 they’ve been much less common.

Bill puts this down to the ‘natural therapy’ of being on the move and being happy.

The tongue and cheek entrance sign to the Lane’s caravan. Picture Jason Katsaras

Bill’s love for Sharen is evident in his tireless efforts to give her the best quality of life he can, despite his own health struggles.
“Even if its cold I always try and get Sharen out of the van each day, and we usually go for a drive for a couple of hours every afternoon,” Mr Lane said.

Thanks to their social media following the pair often wangle free lodgings or care on the road.

With help from a Prospect mechanic, Bill and Sharen will soon be back on the road, follow their adventures via Facebook.

Know any local legends? Contact our reporter Jason Katsaras at the email address below: [e-mail].