Firstly, let me wish you all a Happy New Year, it looks as though it will be epic!
At iDID, we are all very excited about what this year will bring. As you may know by now, iDID believes in independence and strives to celebrate the diversity of people with disabilities by breaking down barriers and achieving the impossible. I personally believe that impossibility is a product of fear and that anyone can achieve their goals with the right support in place; over the next few months, the iDID team aim to prove that to you.
As an individual with a disability, I steer very clear from sports (if you have seen me attempt to ride a bike, you will know why!), my co-ordination is well... un-co-ordinated, I can’t hear people giving me instructions and I can barely walk in a straight line. Since starting iDID, I have been facing my own demons and found that I had a deep confidence issue embedded in my disability. Those of you that know me will know I rarely let things stand in my way, so why am I too scared to go follow a life-long ambition of travelling or avoid going for nights out when the only thing stopping me is… me?! After searching for the answer to this question, I have found myself back at the roots of iDID. Many people have a fear that they won’t manage or that people will judge them because of their disability. If you’re reading this and feel the same, ask yourself, ‘Do I want to be scared forever?’
iDID has renamed 2012 as the year of no fear, each and every person on the team is facing their sporting fears and we want you to join us! This year, the team will be trying horse riding, kayaking, mountaineering, archery, surfing, scuba diving, wakeboarding, skiing and many other adventure sports. What adventure sport have you always wanted to try?
I am urging each of you to celebrate your independence and try something new. Get in touch - share your stories with us or write a blog!
I want to leave you with a quote that often gives me strength in times of doubt.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask oursleves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Maya Angelou
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