DISABLED... What does this word really mean? To me it does not mean you have to stay indoors and do nothing, it's the opposite, I cannot do everything but I have a jolly good try.
It was my 50th Birthday a while ago and all my family and friends did not know what to get me so they all gave me Argos vouchers. This meant I could get something out of the norm, well it was; it was for a White Water Rafting session at the centre in Northampton. My son was very good, so that I could have a good day out, he drove everywhere for me as the train would take forever.

They gave us our suits to put on; well that was a laugh and a half with me being a larger person and with there being a few young ladies who were like a size 6. Well we all had trouble one way or another, mind you we all felt like trust up chickens but it was for our own safety. Sorry no photos of that. At first they took the time out to teach us what to do and when and told us all the commands that we had to listen out for when we were in the raft. They knew I was disabled and were there to give me all the support I needed.

The people I shared the raft with were great. There was a couple from Norway who could not speak much English but we got on really well and another gentleman by himself who was more my age group. All the younger ones went into the other rafts.

This centre is an artificial course, for the first time, this was best I thought and our instructor was great. He kept us all working together and afloat, our raft was the only one which stayed upright the whole time. Maybe it was our age as we did not want to end up in the drink. It was hard work as we had to keep getting out the water and walking around and getting back in the other side of the water. I did have a few problems lifting the craft but the instructor was there to help.

I don't think I hindered the others in any way whatsoever and was never made to feel I had. You were able to take family and friends along to watch you make a fool of yourself too. The weather was good so that aided to make it a better evening out. I was tired and exhausted at the end of the session which meant I was just not able to do much. To have a lovely hot shower after felt great, even though we had been in the water for the last two hours. Tired and exhausted my son drove me home and once there I just fell into bed with a hot cuppa.

Are you all sitting comfortably as you will never guess what my next trip is going to be, well HOT AIR BALLOONING in the middle of September! Our take off flight time is 16.30 from Uckfield and I will let you all know what that experience is like.

Written by Margaret MacDonald.