Disability is no barrier to discovering potential

Outward Bound courses push the limits to create “amazing experiences”.

Joshua Rae, standing third from left, Quinten Baker, fifth from left, and Cerebral Palsy Society member Rorie Poff, seventh from left, took part in Outward Bound’s Youth Activate course in April.

Last summer, a group of rangatahi with cerebral palsy cleaned their boots, put on their backpacks, and ventured to Outward Bound in the Marlborough Sounds.

Outward Bound has offered adapted courses for four decades, including courses for people with physical disabilities.

The Activate course is designed for those aged 18+, the Youth Activate for 16 to 18-year-olds, and the Activate Leaps and Bounds for 13 to 15-year-olds who attend with a parent or caregiver.

Palmerston North’s Deanna Rogers (a Cerebral Palsy Society member), Christchurch’s Josh Rae and Quinten Baker from Wairoa pushed themselves to their limits during the eight-day Activate courses. 

Deanna was nervous about going to Outward Bound but was buoyed by the “amazing experiences” she had heard others have had there.

“I wanted to have an adventure, to experience new things and reflect on nature while meeting new friends and getting away from my usual day-to-day life and stress,” she says.

“I also wanted to get away from my phone!”

Deanna didn’t hold back from trying new things beyond her disability while at Outward Bound.

Cerebral Palsy Society member Deanna Rogers makes the most of every opportunity an Outward Bound course provides.

She sailed a cutter, paddled a waka, learned bushcraft, and jumped off a jetty to swim in the waters of the Marlborough Sounds.

“I discovered I can do anything I put my mind to, either by myself or with the assistance of humans or an aide like a walking cane.

“I had to climb up to the flying fox on a rope ladder which wasn’t easy as it kept swaying, but I did it!”

The Youth Activate course is designed to ensure participants have the support they need to achieve the same personal growth outcomes as on any other Outward Bound course.

Outward Bound Diversity and Inclusion Partner Leonie King says Outward Bound offers specialised equipment such as modified harnesses for their high ropes course and Hippocampe chairs that allow wheelchair users to enter the sea from the beach.

“Adapted courses are supported by two support workers who provide practical assistance such as carrying loads or helping with tasks like getting wetsuits on or off,” Leonie says.

“Two instructors tailor activities for the group like ensuring ample time to complete challenges and adequate rest breaks for those who need to manage fatigue. 

“Like any other course, students are expected to take ownership, as a group, of their adventures when undertaking mental and physical challenges,” she says. 

Josh says Outward Bound gave him the opportunity for self-reflection. 

Josh Rae loved being able to spend so much time outdoors while he was with Outward Bound.

“It was serene, calm and quiet. I took time for myself and now have a different outlook on life. Nowhere else but Outward Bound can you get that experience – you can’t do it at home,” Josh says.

“I loved being outdoors, away from commitments, school and tech!”

While Deanna confesses to being nervous before the course, Quinten says his involvement with the Wairoa College Services Academy stood him in good stead for some of the challenges he knew would lay ahead.

“I’m familiar with physical activity; however, I hadn’t sailed or walked on ropes up high in a tree canopy before,” he laughs.

Quinten Baker says he learnt leadership skills that he will be able to use elsewhere.

“That was challenging, but I had a great instructor who helped me overcome my nerves, and I did it. The experience taught me that I’m more capable of more than I give myself credit for.”

Josh also found traversing the tree canopy on ropes challenging, overcoming his fears with the help of encouragement from his instructor.

“I was proud of myself for doing things that challenged me physically, but I also discovered that I am a better leader than I ever thought.

“Usually, I hang back when I’m in a group situation, but during the course, when I was told to lead, I did it, and it was good,” Josh says.

“The skills I learned will help with my role in the school leadership team and also with the volunteering I do for St John Youth.”

Outward Bound advocates that there is more in every one.

“We help people understand their full potential,” Leonie says.

“The feedback from our Activate courses is phenomenal. We see participants of all ages and abilities growing in confidence in their physical capabilities and growing their resilience and interpersonal skills,” she says.

Josh encourages more people to give it a go. 

“I would recommend anyone to go to Outward Bound. It was different to what I expected but in a good way!”

For more information about Outward Bound, go to www.outwardbound.co.nz.

This article was originally published in the September to December 2023 edition of The Review magazine.

For more information:
Melanie Louden
Communications Manager
melanie@cpsociety.org.nz
Mobile: 022 087 819