'We can do it too'

"We have abilities too. Give us a chance!"

This was the positive appeal of the four persons with disability who are pushing themselves to their limits - probably beyond those of many others - in the fund-raising Ability Challenge in France organised by and in aid of Razzett tal-Hbiberija.

The extreme sports event would prove daunting to any able-bodied person. But as the four participants pointed out just before leaving for the event, which started on Monday: "There are disabilities that show and those that are hidden; ours are more evident, but everyone has their limitations."

Apart from being excited by the physical challenges and the trip to the Roya Valley, in the south of France, where the multi-activity races are taking place, the four participants were more concerned about the message they would like to convey to society at large and to other persons with disability - "we can do it too!"

The obstacles, they maintained, often stem from the families, who are overprotective and refuse to let their relatives out of the front door, let alone allow them to try their hand at a slightly extreme sports. Such a hindrance can bring their "self-esteem down to zero". They feel fortunate that they have received the support they needed to participate in the event.

Razzett marketing and events manager Bradley Dingli explained that the Ability Challenge is an opportunity for persons of mixed abilities to integrate and for those with disability to practise sports they may feel are beyond their capabilities. It is also the first charity event that involves the persons for whom the funds are being raised, he said. In fact, the four persons with disability had to collect their own money to be able to finance their trip, just like the other participants.

"We went around looking for sponsors, and it is sad to have to point out that, of the 12 companies we visited, our paraplegic participant could only enter one due to lack of wheelchair accessibility."

The Lm650 raised by each of the other 18 participants is also going towards buying sports equipment for the Razzett in the hope that it could take a team to the Paralympics in Kent in 2012.

The Ability Challenge involves 22 participants, divided into four teams, with a person with disability in each one. They have all been training for the last eight weeks.

"It is funny, but the able-bodied have been more worried than us... until they see that we can do it.

"Any extreme sport always presents a risk to anyone," said the four participants, who claimed they were not particularly fearful of any challenge. And Mr Dingli can vouch for that. Leon, 23, who has severe visual impairment, climbed up a rock face eight storeys high during a training session. "I could only go up three," he admitted.

Leon, who lost his sight when he was 12, jokes that it is only because he is blind and cannot see the height that he could do it. But in reality, they are all examples of courage, bravery and determination.

It was not easy for the organisers to find a company that would coordinate the extreme sports activity in France and they were refused by a few because the teams included persons with disability.

But even that hurdle was overcome in the end. The next was to raise the last Lm1,000 needed to pay for the expenses of the four persons with disability. Anyone wishing to help can call Mr Dingli on 2163 6533 or e-mail to events@razzett.org

Experiences

Atef Zarrouk: "We need to show others like us that we are normal and can integrate in society".

Atef Zarrouk, 36, of French origin, has been wheelchair-bound for the last seven years, following an occupational accident on a construction site when the roof he was on caved in. Nevertheless, he is as fit as a fiddle and trains at the Razzett regularly.

The reality is that he cannot do much else - a court case regarding his accident is still pending, and even though he has three children to feed, he is unemployed.

Mr Zarrouk is on a mission to show "others like us that we are normal and can integrate in society. Life goes on.

"I used to work on oil rigs, so I was accustomed to heights. But when I attempted rock climbing, there was an element of fear," he admitted, adding that the satisfaction once he conquered that fear was intense.

Angela Cassar: "Do not pity me, but look at what I can do and do like me".

Angela Cassar, 16, has always loved a challenge and has always found it hard to turn down anything "daring". The fact that part of her leg was amputated two years ago, following an accident, and that she has a prosthetic limb in its place, has in no way changed her attitude and she is looking forward to the event.

"Do not pity me, but look at what I can do and do like me. I can do what I want!

"I may be a bit afraid of the paragliding, but anyone would have some sort of doubt about what could happen to them when they are mid-air."

Kevin Pace: "I was told I was going to be vegetable, but next, I am participating in an Ability Challenge of extreme sports in France".

Kevin Pace, 27, has coordination problems in his right arm and his speech is slow, following a car accident eight years ago. He has been unemployed since because, he maintains, employers are still prejudiced against persons with disability, and when these do work, they can often be exploited.

Mr Pace was a mechanic and his greatest wish is to be able to work again. He never gives up, and this is demonstrated in the fact that his parents were told he would be "a vegetable" after his accident and that they could only wait and pray.

He fell on the floor like a rag the first time he got out of bed. But he is now mountain biking, kayaking, canyoneering, rock climbing, paragliding and attempting a via ferrata (high level footpaths in the mountains that use fixed cables for protection and steel ladders to surmount difficult sections).