Introducing Gail
I have a friend, Gail, who has been in a wheelchair since the age of 11. She has cerebral palsy. She is a stubborn, gutsy character who is determined to stay in the community, and live as she wants to. To achieve this, she works much harder than we able-bodied people.
She and I were chatting one day, and she told me that she had always wanted to do scuba diving. I determined that day, that I would make it happen, somehow. At the time, I imagined it would be complicated, expensive, and overseas.
Sometime later, I was having a weekend away in a town, 2 hours from my home town, when I saw a shop that turned out to be the headquarters for Back-Up New Zealand, an organization whose sole purpose is to help people with disabilities to take part in outdoor pursuits. I felt as though I had found the end of the rainbow.
We checked out the courses that Back-Up New Zealand offered and found a one week course that included scuba-diving and many other activities, spread over a one week course.
Who Are Back-Up?
The Back-Up Trust in the UK was set up in 1986 by champion skier Mike Nemesvary after he broke his neck training. Mike gathered the skiing and film community together and made an adaptive ski cart so he could go Back-Up the mountain. He found that the impact this had on his self-esteem was enormous and wanted to pass the benefits on to other people and the Back-Up Trust was created.
Jane Denton brought two instructors experienced at working outdoors with people with disabilities, from Calvert Trust in Keswick, back to New Zealand. The Calvert Trust runs courses for the Back-Up Trust in the UK and offers other courses for 50 weeks of the year to people with every imaginable disability.
Back-Up New Zealand was formed as a result of Jane's research, and her effort in bringing the instructors to New Zealand.
To learn more about Back-Up New Zealand, check out their website or in the UK at
Back-Up Trust
Jane Denton brought two instructors experienced at working outdoors with people with disabilities, from Calvert Trust in Keswick, back to New Zealand. The Calvert Trust runs courses for the Back-Up Trust in the UK and offers other courses for 50 weeks of the year to people with every imaginable disability.
Back-Up New Zealand was formed as a result of Jane's research, and her effort in bringing the instructors to New Zealand.
To learn more about Back-Up New Zealand, check out their website or in the UK at
Back-Up Trust
Sporting Triumph.
These sports people make it look so easy. I cannot even ski with 2 legs!
Gail's Week of Outdoor Activities Included Scuba Diving...
Kayaking...
Bush Walking With A Twist...
Gail had to instruct the other walkers to get them through safely.
Climbing The Rock Wall...
Ready To Go...
...Absailing.
The Value Of Risk And Challenge.
We all love to challenge ourselves, push our limits, scare ourselves through sports, riding on a roller coaster, climbing a mountain. Even for able-bodied people, it is exciting and great for your self esteem. Getting out into the wilderness gives you the chance to see views and wildlife that many people never see.
It is very easy to forget that taking part in these activities can be very difficult, or impossible for people who have a disability.It can require extra help and expensive equipment to join in an activity. The psychological gain for disabled people is as much, or more as for any other person who takes on a challenge.
The change in Gail, after spending a week hanging off cliffs, scuba diving, and sleeping under the stars was phenomenal. Her view of the world, and herself changed. In spite of the severe pain she faced while taking part, she came up smiling, and ready for more.
It is very easy to forget that taking part in these activities can be very difficult, or impossible for people who have a disability.It can require extra help and expensive equipment to join in an activity. The psychological gain for disabled people is as much, or more as for any other person who takes on a challenge.
The change in Gail, after spending a week hanging off cliffs, scuba diving, and sleeping under the stars was phenomenal. Her view of the world, and herself changed. In spite of the severe pain she faced while taking part, she came up smiling, and ready for more.
What Can You Do?
Get familiar with organizations in your area, who support people with disabilities. You can assist by volunteering, giving financial support, and spreading the word about the work of the organizations.
Encourage any family and friends who have a disability, and see themselves as excluded from physical activities. Help them to find an organization who can help them join a sport or activity.
A donation of just $5 to Back-Up New Zealand to help them send Gail on her first skydive would be very much appreciated. Back-Up is using this event as a fundraiser to help Gail and others to take part in outdoor pursuits with the support they need. To make a contribution, go to Fundraise Online where you can make a secure, safe donation to Back-Up New Zealand.
Thank you for your donation.
Encourage any family and friends who have a disability, and see themselves as excluded from physical activities. Help them to find an organization who can help them join a sport or activity.
A donation of just $5 to Back-Up New Zealand to help them send Gail on her first skydive would be very much appreciated. Back-Up is using this event as a fundraiser to help Gail and others to take part in outdoor pursuits with the support they need. To make a contribution, go to Fundraise Online where you can make a secure, safe donation to Back-Up New Zealand.
Thank you for your donation.
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- Maria Eves Maria Eves Nov 17, 2009 @ 7:01 pm
- Hangin of cliffs and scuba diving!! Oh my gosh Gail your amazing. Gail u keep doin what you do best. You are an incredible person. MANY BLESSINGS.....
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- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Nov 12, 2009 @ 7:53 am
- Wow, what an honor to meet such a remarkable person as Gail.
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- maryspeller maryspeller Nov 16, 2009 @ 3:44 am
- Thanks Julie. Writing this lens, and reviewing her photos reminded how determined and courageous she is. She just kept on smiling. This skydive will another chance to test her limits. And i will be filming this for all the supporters and Gail, of course.
by maryspeller
I have raised 5 children, who have now all left home. I have also studied social policy, and nursing, and advocacy. I am now using my past experience... (more)
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