He is also a self-described ''crusader'' in trying to stop police shootings, and says he's been lobbying the Government to introduce alternative, non-lethal weapons to regular police work.

Yesterday marked eight years to the day since Mr Crowley was rendered a quadriplegic when he was shot in the neck by a police officer during a psychotic episode.

He brought an action against the Australian Federal Police in the ACT Supreme Court for the shooting on December 11, 2001, as well as ACT Mental Health Services for failing to exercise the requisite level of care by not insisting he be brought to hospital in the hours before.

He also sued the officer who shot him, while the AFP and ACT Mental Health launched cross-claims against each other. Mr Crowley said while he was able to keep himself motivated by attending church and waiting for his case to be handed down, he said being stuck in the house was increasingly difficult.

''You spend most of your days on edge, not knowing if you're going to have a future,'' he said.

''The hardest thing to put up with is ... the daily grind, the complete lack of dignity.''

Mr Crowley, who is overweight and prone to illnesses and infections, requires at least six carers during the course of an ordinary day, and his parents Keith and Paloma do much of the work themselves.

They are now well into their 70s and worry they will soon be no longer able to care for their son.

''Even his visits to Canberra Hospital have been limited by the lack of experience and equipment available to cater adequately for his special needs,'' Keith Crowley said.

During the hearing, the court was told Mr Crowley was experiencing an abnormal bout of psychosis when police responded to reports that he was wandering around his home suburb of Chapman, chanting religious slogans and wielding a bamboo kendo stick.

He was approached by two police officers, who used capsicum spray to subdue him, before one of the officers shot him in the neck, 42 seconds after calling for back-up.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times