F e a t u r e s Freedom Ski 2
Ski 2 Freedom is a door to a world of exhilaration, laughter and pure magic.
A
s a Service wife and mother of a profoundly disabled daughter with rare neurological disorder known as Rett Syndrome
and two boys, Catherine Cosby knows exactly what it is like trying to juggle family life, deployments and meeting the needs of a disabled child. Her conclusion, it can be enormously difficult. Here she explains how she went an extra mile.
With ever increasing pressures on family life within the RAF any extra activity which can help enhance the quality of life for a child or adult with a disability or special need becomes even more important to fit in to the calendar.
Thankfully, there is now an increasing acceptance that almost any sport is accessible to everyone – and snow-sport is just one of them. My many years of seeing people, especially young people, with a variety of disabilities, special needs or chronic long-term illness, helped formulate an idea in my mind. Why not bring together my love for mountains and a real desire to give people
an opportunity to rebuild self-confidence and a sense of belonging – Ski 2 Freedom was born!
I have never been one to be afraid of a challenge and my enthusiasm to make this project work has led to an amazing web of contacts many of whom probably never realised what they were letting themselves in for! I am now also an active member of the Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum and involved inBattle Back.
Feel the wind in your face There is often a misconception that ‘disability’ means wheelchair, but this is not the case and for Ski 2 Freedom we know that the mountains and snow are open to all those whether they may have had a childhood stroke, suffer from severe cerebral palsy or even dependent on a ventilator – in fact, given the right circumstances, everyone has a chance to be free to do something most of us can take for granted.
We encourage families to go on a snow activity holiday together, children and young people to enjoy their independence on the slopes, students to go away with their friends and individuals to travel independently or join up with a group.
To help you plan your snow- sport activities ‘adventure’ Ski 2 Freedom brings people – participants, instructors, helpers, providers or volunteers – together to provide enlightenment and recognition without barriers and Ski 2 Freedom’s goal is to encourage and unite.
What our skiers say… Hugo, aged 12 “I love skiing. It makes me feel great…My Mum wasn’t sure if I would walk, but she believed in me, and so did my Dad and now I can ski!”
Helen “My claustrophobic blind life and limitations back in the UK are miles away as I whizz round the slopes of the French Alps. I would never be able to drive a car but I was propelling myself along (at considerable speed). I find it difficult to adequately describe the complete sense of freedom and overwhelming happiness that I am filled with whilst motoring on my skis”.
Amy’s Mum “Zig Zag Ski School, in Morillon, was the school we went with as they could instruct us as a family group. I was worried because of Amy’s difficulties that she would not be able to understand so it was important that I was with her. Amy likes to be as independent as possible and Zig Zag assured me they would do everything possible so that Amy could stand and ski. Adrien from Zig Zag supported Amy on a one to one basis and we found him exceptional both with his temperament and teaching methods…we would definitely return to the same resort and instructors.
Ski 2 Freedom has a bear called Alex who is a mascot for the Foundation. He was kindly drawn by Bryn Parry. Alex is here is encourage all those Service children with a disability or special need to do something a little different!
You can contact the team at info@ ski2freedom. com or visit our websitewww. ski2freedom. com
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
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