Silver Lining Ski Trip La Plagne March 2014
The ski trip was organised by Maggie Sargent to coincide with a trip already planned by David and Paula Chandler. For some of the group it was their first time in the mountains and on snow so this was an exciting venture that they were looking forward to! For others it was a chance to learn to ski again after having suffered a brain injury and to revisit the slopes that had been so much a part of their life before their accident. The Chandler family has known La Plagne and its excellent ski slopes for a number of years and we first came across this family with their lovely daughter Sarah two years ago when they contacted us for information on the suitability of their proposed accommodation.
It was wonderful to finally meet and to hear of their previous ski experiences and to learn more about how Sarah enjoys her annual ski holiday! Another beneficiary of our Information Resource was Ben who had come along at Maggie’s invitation. It was his first trip to the mountains and he was accompanied by two support care workers. One of which Tom along with Ben had emailed Ski 2 Freedom to be reassured that a ski holiday would be as beneficial as they were hoping and that the location would be suitable. Having done this and ensured that Ben was provided with the correct sit-skiequipment (this had not been done by their Tour Operator and so our expertise had been called upon to help out – we were able to ensure that Ben had the right ski for his specific needs). *“For me, Catherine Cosby of Ski 2 Freedom, it is always just wonderful to meet the people one has been helping and to see the results of much and sometimes quite time consuming work. It was great to meet everyone and to have a chance to talk to each of the group individually or with their care workers.
Such a happy group and all seemed to gain so much from each other and their experiences in life, two of whom had had severe brain injury which inevitably had led to a change in how that person was having to cope with life but both had been experienced skiers before and were now wanting to re-establish and connect back once again with a love of the snow and what the mountains can offer.
Unfortunately I was unable to ski with the group in the afternoon due to having to return to another resort in Switzerland for research purposes but I did manage to spend the morning chatting and they seemed to have established a very relaxing agenda which ensured everyone was happy – some taking breakfast in their room, others enjoying the sunshine over a coffee, some having physio (provided by a wonderful English physio working the resort) but I was able to see them all off on the snow so seeing happy and exciting smiling faces more than made up for not being able to ski alongside the group.”* The ski instruction and equipment was provided by Oxygene, one of the dual skis being used is one that belongs to Ski 2 Freedom and is used by Oxygene during the winter to ensure that not only our clients have benefit but also many other disabled children and young people who come to experience the mountains. Among the instructors were Ewan, Laurent and Daniel with another who was skiing with Lucinda who was standing skiing but having had a brain injury needs extra support. This trip was especially important as it was an opportunity to meet with Maggie Sargent and to discuss future trips they wish to plan to the mountains knowing we will be able to match their specific needs and requirements using our expertise and knowledge which forms the all-important Ski 2 Freedom Resource of Ski and Mountain Activities.
Further funding is in the pipeline and we are extremely grateful to both Maggie and her colleagues and friends for their support in ensuring that more amazing people who have a disability and/or life changing experience to gain maximum benefit to their quality of life. Not only did the members of the group experience the skiing but also several of them took full advantage of what La Plagne has to offer: David did the bob sleigh run; several did the El Pro Skidoo experience; there were walks also. Staying at the Terra Nova Hotel offered good ski in-ski out for the group but it is limited in a number of ways for those who are not skiing all day to relax. It is probably a better place for all-day skiers or those who don’t seem to mind a lack of atmosphere in the public areas but it is what says on the packet! Fortunately the roads are pretty clear of snow this winter so access to the main village centre of La Plagne is relatively easy in a wheelchair or as Winifred found on her mobility scooter but when there is a lot of snow then getting out of the hotel other than by the ski slope is and can be extremely difficult and therefore could result in someone being stranded!
UPDATE: Check out this great little dvd of the trip which has been made by the Silver Liners on their trip to La Plagne as above.
youtube.com/watch?v=2qCW9jdJ5qw
And just to see what extra fun everyone can have youtube.com/watch?v=6EMlSkGrOcg
Useful contacts:
Silver Lining Trust
Oxygene
La Plagne Terra Nova Hotel
Bob Sleigh Experience
El Pro skidoo experience
Physiotherapy
Tessier Sit-Ski equipment