A Disability Snowsport UK instructor shows a client the ropes in a harnessed sledge
Thanks to charity Disability Snowsport UK, disabled people have the chance to learn how to ski. DAVID MILLS finds out more.
SKIING can be hard enough for anyone - even more so if you are disabled.
However, this is not the case at the Bromley Ski Centre, where a team of volunteer trainers are helping people with disabilities learn to ski.
Disability Snowsport UK is a charity based in Scotland which has groups across the UK, including one based at the ski Centre in Sandy Lane, St Paul's Cray.
The centre has been running skiing and snowboarding sessions for people of all ages and with all kinds of disabilities since 1984.
Participants have disabilities including autism, Down's syndrome, spinal chord damage, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, visual impairments and amputations.
Caireen McGlashan became a volunteer helper in 2002.
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She says the main objective is for people to enjoy themselves.
The 30-year-old said: "It's about giving people with disabilities the chance to learn how to ski.
Instructors Richard Standish, Steven West, Caireen McGlashan and Edwin Metternich at the ski centre in Andorra
"A few just come along for fun and they have a whale of a time.
"They get given the thrill of going down mountains and enjoy the fun of having the freedom of movement."
She added: "There is amazing therapeutic value from skiing, from the physical fitness to the social interaction and communication, and the sense of achievement and pride from being able to do something not everyone can."
Caireen, a senior occupational therapist at Bromley Social Services, says while skiing can be hard work for disabled people, it is by no means impossible for them to learn.
She said: "We have a deaf and autistic member who was a slow starter, but he's really good now."
The Bromley group meets on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.
It holds two one-hour sessions each time, typically for between 20 and 30 skiers from all over south-east London and north Kent.
Caireen, from Erith, said: "We match members up with instructors, give progress reports on how each skier has been doing and build on what they have learnt.
"A few even progress to racing."
Some of the skiers go on to take part in the Special Olympics - ski racing for skiers with learning disabilities - while others have moved on to competitions as part of the British Disabled Ski Team.
The centre has specialist equipment for disabled skiers to learn with, including a walking frame with skis.
Skiers unable to stand use sit-skis with the aid of outriggers -crutches with skis at the bottom.
Facilities at the ski centre include a 120m slope as well as runs of different gradients for skiers of all levels.
The Bromley group is eager to recruit more volunteers.
Caireen said: "A lot of people don't know what is available.
"More and more skiers are
interested in coming but we don't have enough helpers.
"The more helpers we have, the better it is for the skiers.
"They don't have to be experts to help out. I had only been on two ski trips myself when I joined."
For more details, call Chris Sykes on 020 7538 5630 or email chrissykesand@aol.com
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