9th July 2018 Skiing for paraplegia

There is no holding back Elise, except for a tether ensuring she doesn't disappear down the mountain

Last night Elise arrived home around 11pm, a different kid... the words fell out of her mouth, no rushed out of her mouth in torrents... racing from one funny incident to the next. "The nurses were so funny"..."they were just like you mum, jumping on me, braiding my hair, tickling me, joking around... they were like a group of giggly kids!" 4 of the nurses were familiar faces, so you can imagine what went on....

DSR (Disability Sport and Recreation) teamed with DWA (Disability Wintersport Australia) to offer a 3 day Falls Creek snow camp for 8 kids supported by a full volunteer medical team. So Elise, having never been to the snow, borrowed her cousin's gear and prepared for the challenge. The new training and accommodation centre for DWA just opened in June, so Elise's group turned out to be the first users - it was excellent with full facilities for wheelchair access.

Falls Creek did not hold back, it snowed and snowed, it froze and threatened the chilliest weather it could muster. With 2 sets of superthin gloves, chemical hand warmers and snow gloves the pain was just bearable - Melbournian's do not deal well with minus degrees!

Sit-ski's can be pretty amazing, brilliant suspension with either one or two ski's and mini hand ski's for balance. Elise started off with 3 volunteer guides, it went something like this...

Day one:
one on the side on and off - to assist if needed
one on the back - to hold, ski and guide Elise
one following behind - to stop anyone running into her

Day two: - introduce the 2m tethers at the back
one on the side - for fun, encouraging words like "brilliant" and photos!
one on the back - to ensure she doesn't disappear off the side

Mark is an expert. For over 10 years he has frequented the snow to teach and support disabled skiers. Apparently, in his opinion, Elise was impressive - in his experience only 5 other people in 10 years have graduated to the tether on day two. More importantly though, she had fun ... especially mentioned were the exciting snow face-plants and accidentally skiing backwards down the slope (you have to go in an exaggerated s shape I am told so it is easy to do).

Elise is looking at the new DWA centre

Things we didn't consider:
1 Elise's manual wheelchair is too valuable to take to the snow, she ended up sharing a cheaper one for short transport to and from the bus. It isn't a giving environment and her chair couldn't be risked.
2 Going to the toilet with multiple layers of clothing on, is a mammoth effort for a para. It took 2 nurses and Elise a LOT of effort to disrobe then redress. Para's - consider alternatives.
3 Chemical hand warmers may be a necessity, as were multiple layers on legs
4 Two days is not enough... Elise was just warming up and she had to come home

Elise ready to head off for an adventure

Amazingly, the trip was only $580 for 3 days (included just about everything due to volunteers and subsiding) which NDIS paid for. There is no doubt that the "inclusive" social movement in Australia is having an impact - doors just open.

Early Monday morning (after a few hours sleep), we rushed around repacking for her 5 day hosp physio intensive. The new Aviary adolescent and rehab ward opened on Wednesday, so Elise again is trialing a new room in a new centre. Seems to be how she does things! Another bladder botox is planned for today and every other appointment possible is planned for the week. Yesterday, the Rheumatology report indicated bloods are still off but we will wait a little longer before further med changes.