17 October 2003

Skiing for people with spinal injuries
Back-Up organises courses and activities for people paralysed through spinal cord injury, which can happen to anyone. Many people who break their necks or back do so through car accidents, rugby or even diving into a swimming pool. One minute you're walking and the next you're not.

The courses aim to give people back the confidence, motivation and independence, which spinal cord injury takes away, by providing opportunities for paralysed people to prove to themselves just how much they are still capable of. The ethos is about what you can do, and not what you can't.

Off to the snow
When I returned after last winter season I was contacted with regard to becoming a buddy on one of the Back Up courses, either summer or winter, and was sent off to Xscape in Milton Keynes to meet a sit-skier and their buddy who train there regularly; Amanda and John couldn't have made me more welcome.

The equipment used by sit-skiers is incredibly technical, and expensive. The seat itself has to be made to the size of the user for maximum stability and manouverability, the suspension beneath set to exactly the right tension and the bindings super tight, as loosing the ski is not really an option to be considered.

Wheelchair access at MK is good, but the chairs do not really move too well on the snow and you'll need to take your own competent buddy who can load you on the drag lift. This is where buddying begins, with the carrying of equipment and assistance with transfering from chair to sit-ski. The monoski rests on one normal ski, so is tricky to balance until the skier is comfortable and strapped in, with an outrigger (shorter ski pole with a small ski blade on the end) in each hand, and the outriggers are strapped to the fore arm, just below the elbow.)

Sit-skis and buttons
Have you ever wondered how to use a button lift when your hands are occupied? You need a buddy to attach a cable loop above your knees to the button, and then be ready to use the hand release mechanism at the top to stop you going all the way round again. This is not easy for either the skier or the buddy and can take some time to learn. Once you get to know someone and their preferred way to do things it becomes much easier, but it is not something you want to get wrong, as falling off a lift in a bob is not fun.

After a few failed attempts (by me), Amanda and John taught me to assist with the button lift and pick up the skier following a fall (which in Amanda's case was not very often) and to push the bob when on the flat (or uphill - this is a real workout) using a skating motion. In an sit-ski the shoulders are used like the hips when transfering weight during a turn. thus committment in a turn feels far greater than on two skis. Trust me on this - I had a go, and it's very, very scary!

I've been along to Milton Keynes and have buddied with other people. The skiers are increasingly confident, and last week tried the kickers and got some serious air, although the slalom course proved tricky with outriggers! Everyone has been great, the staff at Xscape too. If you have any spare time I this is a great way to meet people, get to ski and make a difference.

Can you make a difference?
Back-Up is currently looking for buddies to fill places on their courses this winter in Avoriaz (France), Are (Sweden) and Winter Park (USA). You need to be reasonably confident on skis without poles, quite fit and keen to raise some sponsorship money to cover your expenses.

If you think you can offer the enthusiasm and energy to make a difference and would like more information please e-mail or call Back-Up on (020) 8875 1805. Anyone can be a buddy, all you need is initiative, basic fitness and a willingness to participate and have fun. More information is included on their website.

Resort information feedback
The charity is also interested in any information you may have regarding disabled access in various resorts as this can make a vast difference to anyone using a bob. What is a few meters walk on snow can be a huge distance in a wheelchair. Please mail Back-up with any suggestions or information you may have for areas to be considered or avoided. Here are some ideas to consider:

- Adaptive ski schools and adaptive ski equipment
- Wheelchair access to restaurants and other facilities
- Accessible loos on the mountains
- Places to park cars / vans
- Access to lifts and assurance that the lift companies will let bobs use them.
- Accomodation with easy access and accessible rooms and bathrooms
- Short distance between lifts to reduce pushing
- English speaking instructors

Report by Phin - Natives Special Reporter

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