King of the Swingers...

Backblip

Up a bit sharper this morning to blue skies, a little cloud and sunshine.  Apparently the weather has to get better as the week goes on.  That would be wonderful but really I just hope it stays dry as this is an outdoors holiday and I want Alan to get as much out of it as he can.  

Despite being up earlier, it was another late breakfast then Ed, Elaine, Alan David and I headed down to the King Swing as Alan was booked in for a go at 1.30pm.   We weren’t sure what to expect but OMG it was amazing!  I am so proud of my boy.  Look how high up he is and he's still got a bit to go!   I was having palpitations!

The staff here at the Calvert Trust are amazing.  Their motto is No Limits and boy do they believe it.

Patrick explained what would happen (we all had to wear hard hats in the King Swing area incase shoes came flying off!) and Alan got kitted out in preparation for the swing.  He got a bit impatient and I wondered if he’d changed his mind but he was just annoyed at how long it was taking to get the equipment set up.   There were a few others having a go but he was first.

Once he was trussed up like a turkey, he was raised up out of his wheelchair and hauled up into position (we agreed that half way was high enough till we gauged his reaction) and after a countdown from 5, the rope was released and off he flew!  

My heart was in my mouth and after a few seconds silence, there was a shout and a whoop from Alan and a grin as he continued to swing back and forth and we knew he loved it.   He had two other goes before it was the turn of the others.

After the others had their turns, Patrick offered Alan a chance to go on again, after a slight hesitation he agreed.  This time they pulled him up to  full height and off he went.  He’d got the hang of it by this point and pulled his knees up so he was in more of a sitting position.  My heart was still in my mouth but he is fearless!  See extra for flying action shot :)

He was so chuffed with himself afterwards and I can only imagine how amazing that must have felt for him.  What an experience.

Afterwards we had a look at the indoor climbing wall as now that Patrick knows Alan a bit better he was able to suggest more activities for him to take part in.  We are now hoping he will do the climbing wall, zip wire and canoeing (Patrick thinks there’s a way to overcome the power chair issue.)

But it’s a leisurely start tomorrow with an hour long tour around the area in a six seater golf buggy.  Should be a laugh.