Outward Bound adventure was no obstacle to Rachel House teens
Yeah, of course we can do that . . .
By Craig Robertson
IT’S easy to imagine teenagers in wheelchairs can do little more than sit in front of a telly or computer screen. How wrong can you be?
 Three intrepid youngsters from Rachel House in Kinross recently returned from a daring Outward Bound adventure that would have had the able-bodied quaking in their hiking boots.
Along with teenagers from similar English hospices, they were sailing and even abseiling in their wheelchairs as they took on every challenge put in front of them.
So many of the Rachel House teens were keen to brave the Outward Bound quest that there was no option but to put their names in a hat and draw them out.
The lucky three were James Gall from Dundee, John Donnelly from Perth and Charlene Gay from Kilmarnock.
They met at Rachel House on the Monday morning and set off on their adventure with carers Louise Wilson, Alison MacCallum and Sharon Ballingall.
There was a bit of a false start as they tried to pack two manual wheelchairs, two electric wheelchairs, a mattress, six travel bags, food, drink, towels and pillows into the van — but somehow they managed it!
A few hours driving south and they had arrived at beautiful Kielder Water in Northumberland, moved into their three-bedroom, self-catering chalet and met up with the teens from England.
The others were from Derian House — a children’s hospice in Lancashire — and Whitby Lodge, a hospice for young adults in
Yorkshire
On the Tuesday, everyone was up early and ready to tackle everything that Kielder had to offer. James and Charlene opted for the motor cruiser while John and Sharon enjoyed a three-hour sail on Europe’s largest man-made lake..
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 John gets ready to set sail on the lake.
James does his best Robin Hood impersonation at the archery range.
Charlene roped up and ready to go on the zip-wire
Boys, have you SEEN what Charlene is doing behind you?
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Volunteer
The evening, like the two that were to follow, meant food, quizzes, music and chats with the others.
The next day, things stepped up a gear with archery, a daunting zip-wire slide, abseiling and rock climbing on the agenda.
James was first to volunteer for the thrills of the zip-wire, but it turned out he was only first equal to go. Louise went up to the top of the aerial slide to help out and ended up being hooked up to James and flying down the wire with him!
“I’m still not sure how it happened,” says James. “Louise was trying to fix up my harness and next thing we were both going down the slide! I thought it was pretty funny but I’m not sure Louise was so pleased. Still, I was quick to have another go — on my own this time.”
As if that wasn’t enough, the intrepid trio then took on abseiling — Charlene braving it on her own and John and James having the nerve to go down in their chairs accompanied by instructors.
Rock climbing
Amazingly, Charlene — who not so long ago was completely confined to her wheelchair — even took on the challenge of rock climbing. “She was a real pro,” said Sharon, “There was no stopping the girl.”
James is from Whitfield in Dundee where he is at school and studying for his Highers. He has Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy and has been using Rachel House for about six years. He’s been on a few outings, but nothing quite like this.
“It was great and I really enjoyed the whole thing, everyone got on so well,” he said.
“I tried things I never thought I’d get the chance to do.
“I was a bit nervy before the slide and the abseiling but we got good preparation and once I’d done it I was ready to try it again.”
James, John and Charlene weren’t the only ones to get so much out of the trip. Their carers enjoyed it at least as much, as Sharon explained.
“They were all amazing, taking on new challenges and experiences.
Humbling
“It might sound a bit cheesy but it really was humbling to watch and amazing to be a part of it. They achieved so much it has inspired me to do more.”
Rachel House offers so much to the young people who stay there and the soon-to-be-opened Robin House — built with your kind donations — will do the same.
These youngsters are determined to prove that, wherever possible, they will not be limited by their conditions and days like those at Kielder Water do wonders for their morale and self-esteem.
They also happen to be great fun! |
You can e-mail us at:
hospice@sundaypost.com
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