DEBRA NZ Adventure Camp, Ruapehu, August 2006
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The recent EB Adventure Camp was a great success. The brave and good humoured group were undaunted by rain and snow in their quest for excitement and challenges that had previously been impossible for them to experience. At the Camp they were able to climb or be hoisted up a 20 meter high wall at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre and abseil down, ski on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu and canoe down the flooded Whanganui River. |
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The group of young adults from New Zealand and Australia with severe RDEB (Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa) spent a week together at National Park in the Central North Island participating in the first ever winter EB Adventure Camp. They were joined by father & son EB sufferers Jim and John White and other friends and helpers including DEBRA NZ nurses Deanna Forsyth and Jacqui Finnigan, Sandor as breakfast cook, van driver and general entertainer, and Anna as ‘camp mum’. We were very happy to also have the help of Jim Gilligan with his experience as an instructor at the last EB camp and his expertise in adaptive recreation. |
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| Ashley excelled at skiing solo on the sit-ski while John and Sandor amazed everyone with their prowess at snow boarding after just a few hours of expert tuition from Sarah. John chose to ignore the blisters forming on his legs from the boots rubbing so he could really master this newly discovered skill. |
| Liam and Gavin were exhilarated by the rush of speed as they accelerated down the slope on the sit-skis, steering with their weight and relying on the instructors behind them to be the anchor and steer them out of trouble if they were headed for a collision. Coming from Queensland, Gavin had never seen snow before this trip and none of the chaps with EB had ever dreamt they would be able to snow board or ski, so it was an exciting and rewarding day for everyone. |
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The willingness of the chaps with severe and crippling EB to give anything a go despite their fragile skin was inspiring to the able bodied ones in the group. The skilled instructors for each activity did a wonderful job of making everything possible. They all said they felt humbled by the challenges faced by those with EB to just get to the start of the action let alone participate in it, and they were proud to have been part of providing such an exciting and amazing time for them. All the campers are very keen to come back again next year for more adventures and camaraderie. |
Our heart felt thanks for helping make the EB Adventure Camp possible.
Best wishes,
| Anna Kemble Welch |
| Director |
| DEBRA NZ |
