Eco-Access is a registered non-profit organisation, which exists to ensure disabled people have access to nature. Furthermore, it encourages integration between disabled and non-disabled people within the wilderness experience. | |
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"I learned about courage ..
'My twin was a partially-sighted girl called Bernadene. And Chantal's twin was a partially-sighted girl called Lebo. Altogether on the camp there were 4 girls and one boy that were totally blind and 4 girls and 4 boys that were partially blind.
Once we had met our twins we had to go and sit down somewhere quiet together and get to know each other. We had to feel each others heads, faces and hair and then just chat. After that we had to do everything together.
On the first night we went for a night walk in the pitch dark (no torches allowed). It was not easy as we tripped over rocks, fell in ditches and got scratched by the trees and bushes.
Our leaders had to tell us to stop talking, laughing and shrieking so that we could listen to the night sounds. The blind people said the only way they could tell it was night time was by the night noises.
The whole weekend was such fun and really a life-time experience. I made such good friends with all the people on the camp and learnt that blind people are really just like us, full of fun, love, fears and personality!
Some of the things I remember most:
• eating lunch totally blindfolded,
• smearing each other with mud in the mud-pool,
• learning to read Braille,
The singing and wonderful friendship amongst the children from Prinshof and the total lack of inhibition at the concert around the campfire on Saturday night was also very meaningful to me. I have learnt about courage and about overcoming fear of others who I think are different from me. I went to the camp thinking that I was going to help blind people but actually they helped me more!"
[Sarah Taylor on the camp 11 to 13 February]
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IF EVER
by Tefo Marabutse
Ill, like an Aids victim, contagious, like flu
Lyrically growing and burning like cancer …
This is the cry of a poet soul.
If ever, ever I was like the independent, courageous Filadelfia students
If ever I was fearless and harmless like the Prinshof kid
Only if ever, then never ever shall I wish nothing.
For sight brought me fear and doubt, hate and joy
But if ever, oh no never ever shall my mind be captured by discrimination
again.
' Muzi was the boy I was given to wheel around the farm.
Muzi has no arms and one small leg with four toes. He is fifteen. His father ran away from him because he is disabled.
He enjoys everything that you and me enjoy. He has adapted to his wheelchair. You would think he cannot write, but he can. You would think he cannot touch, but he can. He does it all with his toes.
Disabled people are the same as you and me, they just have different needs.'
ONE DAY
I walked in a world filled with color –
I heard the melodies of a thousand birds –
I ran barefooted on beach sand
And captured it all on paper.
I read a novel of poignancy and beauty –
Marveled at the skilled artist.
I sang my favorite song out loud
And danced in the rain.
For a day, I lived in a world of darkness
For a day, I heard no sound
For a day, I spoke no word
For a day, I did not move
In just one day I realized
That everything I have, is so much more
Than my wildest dreams could encompass
Nor imagine.
For, in just one day, I lived the life
Of brothers and sisters I rarely considered.
And, in just one day, I respect like never before –
I appreciate like never before –
I understand like never before…
All in just one day…
Priya Mudramuthoo – Duty Manager, Shingwedzi Rest Camp, Kruger National
Park