Over the years our members keep telling us that one of the things they want most from the Association is the chance to talk to others who have faced the same problems that they are facing, who understood how they feel, to know that they were not alone. It has proved difficult to organise regional groups which could meet regularly partly because members are widely spread across the UK (and Europe) but, even more importantly, because many of our members find it difficult to talk to strangers, even those with KS! We thought about this for a long time and our answer was the Activity Weekends in Derbyshire.
Why? ...because if you are stumbling through a freezing stream or stepping off an 80 metre high bridge with only a harness and a rope between you and the river below, you have to talk to other people if only to say ‘HELP!’ and when you have spoken once it is so much easier the next time.
When folk arrive on Friday evening there isn’t much chat at first. People choose their beds, stow away their clothes and one or two who have been before will show the ‘new guys’ where things are. Dinner breaks the ice a bit – the food is good and people relax a little bit and speak to the others sitting with them. A visit to the local pub (or a few beers/glasses of wine at the centre) helps things along a bit more and, by Saturday breakfast there is quite a hum of conversation. We separate into our groups depending on which activity we have chosen – canoeing, boulder-hopping, zip-wire, weaselling, abseiling, rock climbing and stream-walking may be on offer - and pile into the appropriate mini-bus. Still a bit quiet because some folk are half-asleep and most are wondering what it is going to be like – especially if it is something new. Some are not sure if they want to do the activity but that’s ok – they can watch, take photos or help and, if they decide to have a go later, that’s ok too.
Whatever the activity, communication is unavoidable:
‘I’m stuck’. ‘Well, just straighten your left arm and wiggle your hips a bit and you’ll get through’!
Or
‘I can’t reach that!’‘Try putting your foot into that crack first, then reach up.’
Or
‘I forgot to bring my sandwiches!’‘Tough!’
And by lunchtime everyone is chatting and many don’t stop for the rest of the weekend! There is plenty of opportunity to talk about more personal things and exchange information or compare experiences – and plenty of time to enjoy yourself. Many lasting friendships are made during the weekends and several members who have been on previous weekends have now started their own mini support networks – phoning or emailing regularly and meeting up when possible.
Duke’s Barn at Beeley is an excellent centre with fantastic instructors. It doesn’t matter if you think you aren’t good at this type of thing – the instructors will make sure you enjoy yourself and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to! However professional instructors and good equipment do not come cheap.
For 2012 we are charging £75 for members with KS or anyone under 19 years of age. For anyone else it is £130 for members and their immediate families or a carer and, if there are spare places, non-members other than carers, will be welcome at the unsubsidised rate of £300. If you consider that these rates includes all equipment including wet weather gear, full-board, accommodation and all activities then I hope you will agree that it is more than reasonable. A very successful fund-raising abseil held during 2010 weekend plus the efforts of several younger members who raised money individually with sponsored silences, raised over £1000 to subsidise future weekends and and in 2011 we were lucky enough to received a grant from Jeans for Genes.We want to continue to subsidise the weekends to make them as affordable as possible. Please do call or email me – I will be delighted to answer any questions or give more information. If you would like to talk to someone who has already been to Duke’s Barn with us please contact me and I will put you in touch. Please DO NOT pay your deposit via the website before you speak to me as I have to ensure that suitable accommodation is available before accepting a booking. If you want to connect with others affected by KS – and have a fantastic weekend as well, join the hordes coming from France, Ireland and all over the UK to meet up at the Duke’s Barn! Alison Bridges
Activities Organiser
01629 534402
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|