Personal Stories- Skiing with Spina Bifida

We are delighted to be able to share our patron David Proud’s inspiring comments below:

David Proud is an English actor. He was born with Spina Bifida and uses a wheelchair. He only began his acting career during his early twenties, having previously believed that it would be impossible for him to have a career in that field. His first professional acting role was as a wheelchair basketball player in the children's TV series Desperados. David made history becoming the first regular disabled cast member of the BBC One EastEnders.

David met Ski 2 Freedom when he was a participant of the RTE Series Two for the Road for the episode Skiing in Morzine which the Foundation had help facilitate with information and experience on the resort and the disabled skiing available via ESF Morzine. "I just wanted to say thank you sincerely for making my time in Morzine such an amazing experience of a lifetime. I am delighted that you have set up Ski 2 Freedom to be able to assist disabled people like myself."

I hope that you will be able to boost the profile of Ski 2 Freedom in the UK, as I know many disabled people will benefit from your advice and support to be able to actively participate in family holidays in the Alps. Ski 2 Freedom will help to make skiing accessible to all. After spending time witnessing your working relationship with the service providers in the resort it is clear to see that you have a passion for integration of disabled people. I am delighted to be a Patron and support your work and I hope to see you soon on a mountain that I never thought I could climb"

David is also a Patron of Whizz Kids, Shine and  Phab.