Today marks the official end of my Churchill Fellowship. I’m not really sure what to write as I think I have made my thoughts clear along the way.
There are certainly things to be learned from the US adaptive recreation system, for example the importance of recreational therapy in rehabilitation and treatment of physical disability. This is a lifelong need, not something for just children or those with newly acquired disabilities. There has also been significant access challenges over here, for example the lack of dedicated Disabled toilets and wheelchair accessible car transportation.
I have to now begin thinking of how best to implement what I learnt, but now it’s time for a break. I’m actually really looking forward to reading these blogs back when I compile them into a report.
I chose Disney as my holiday because it’s a built-in easy accessible holiday, the one place that someone like me can actually switch off.
I honestly feel so so grateful to have been given this opportunity, and that I have the coolest people around me that have fully enabled the adventure. Shout outs to those who have kept things ticking along at home, to my family who have looked after my little dog Will. To both Leisa and Mel who have embraced the opportunity with me and to the incredible folks at the fellowship.
I did not think when I applied for this opportunity in autumn 2022 (on a recommendation and a whim!) that I would have done and seen the things I have. The fellowship supports you to experience and learn in the best way for you and that is something truly unique and special.
I feel it’s apt to finish my writing in a way that best reflects my feelings at this very moment. So in the words of Winston Churchill himself:
“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.”
Image Description: Me in my wheelchair sitting at the North rim of The Grand Canyon.
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