Kinesio is proud to support a once in a lifetime skiing trip for 7 students from National Star College in Cheltenham.
Originally opened in 1967, and rated as outstanding in all areas by OFSTED in 2012, National Star is an independent specialist further education college for 16-25 year olds with physical and learning difficulties.
Their vision, as summarised by one of the students, is "If you burst the bubble you'll see who's inside" and this theme is actively pursued by those working with these young people. One such person is Verity Fisher, a Physiotherapist and certified Kinesio Taping practitioner at the college who is determined to help them undertake challenges they could normally only dream of doing.
A keen skier, and having supported a group of deaf children skiing last year, our Kinesio practitioner is now leading and co-ordinating a ski trip to Andorra for a group of 7 National Star students in early 2016. As she states, "I love being on the slopes and the freedom it gives me and would love to provide some of our students with this experience. I believe it is our students' right to have the same opportunities as others." A very admirable sentiment, but a logistical nightmare! The complex disabilities - many of the students use wheelchairs and require one-to-one assistance for every task - coupled with the specialist equipment required, such as an adapted coach to transport them to the resort and adapted ski equipment, will greatly increase the cost of giving these students this fantastic experience.
So far over £3,000 has been raised and Verity is determined to succeed. "In order to cover the costs the group will collectively need to raise £14,000", she says. "Some students have recently acquired brain injuries, for others it is a result of life long disability. Their physical disabilities mean they are often unable to access activities or opportunities that their able-bodied counterparts take for granted." Verity has been encouraged by the success of a recent trip by National Star students to the Calvert Trust for a weekend of outdoor activities. "Even in that short time," she says, "I have seen the massive benefits for all students."
If you would like to help you can donate through the following Just Giving link. These young people are truly inspirational and have faced more challenges in their lives than many people ever do. Their 'can do' positive approach is a credit to them. Verity, like all those at National Star, is a star herself, striving to give young people the opportunity to "burst their bubble".
Kinesio UK are fully supporting Verity in her quest. Please help us advertise this trip on twitter and facebook. Any donation, no matter how small, can help to give these students an amazing and beneficial skiing experience they will remember for life.
If you would like to get in touch with Verity please contact the Kinesio UK office on 0191 2877008 or email us and we will arrange this.
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