Blogs: EFDS takes a look at an A-Z of accessible sporting opportunities
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year.
In 2016 we’ll be taking a look at an A-Z of accessible sporting and fitness opportunities available to disabled people. This week we’re taking a look back at some of the blogs in the series so far, featuring fell running, fencing and gliding.
Read more in the A-Z blogs series.
Fell running - Lynda Howard
A fell race is a race that runs across fields, mountains, moors and across and through streams. So it is essential to be able to navigate while running, whatever the weather.
Entry for a race is often on the day. We have to carry a map, compass and a whistle.
I love this sport like no other. I no longer work, but it used to be the case that at work every Friday the clerical assistant would ask: "Are you running up any mountains this weekend?" She thought I was barmy!
Fencing - Rebecca
People think that wheelchair fencing is a bit like jousting - you wheel up and down attacking your opponent with a sword. It’s not like that at all.
You sit in a specially made fencing wheelchair which is clamped into a fencing frame.
Fencing has given me confidence, fitness, a determination and is a distraction from pain. I may be feeling awful before I get onto piste (the fencing area), but as soon as I'm sitting in my wheelchair waiting to start I am distracted from any pain I might be feeling. It's such an adrenaline rush.
Gliding - Steve Derwin
For several months after my accident I felt that my life was completely ruined. Quite simply, I had lost all that I had lived for.
It was not until a friend introduced me to gliding and pointed out that with the adaptations available in modern gliders there was an opportunity for disabled people to resume active and exciting lives that I realised I could move forwards.
Flying takes me back to the mountain regions I so loved as a non-disabled person and gives me the freedom of exploration.
