Quotes & Photo Gallery
Can the great outdoors change a life?
Participants respond:
I’m not
sure how to appropriately thank those responsible for giving me my life back.
This year I was a participant on the first Grand Canyon rafting trip
designed for people
who were facing life-threatening illnesses. Since
my return, several people have
welcomed me back. They are not welcoming me back from the river although
they
do that too. They are welcoming the person whom they once knew
and cared about
back to life, because over the course of this past year,
that person had gradually
ceased to exist and now he has returned. The
difference in me is that clear,
not only to myself but to others. I
know now that the Grand Canyon raft trip is a
permanent part of me and will
always be there to draw upon in the future.
-Terry, and adult cancer
survivor
Do you have any idea
of
all the things you do? You not only make it possible for these children
and adults to experience the outdoors but you give hope to families.
Hope is a gift of
immense power.
-Mother of Eddie, a teen with cerebral palsy
On the hikes it was neat
being able to move into he safari chair like that, because I was never able to
move like that before. It was like, wow, I never knew what a hike was!
-Nick, wheelchair user, teen participant
I’m so grateful that this
program exists. It gives me an opportunity to interact with other
physically challenged people. Before this I had no physically challenged people
in my life.
I also feel that my confidence and self –esteem has improved a great deal.
-Teresa Parker, adaptive kayaking and sled hockey participant
Information on everything from recreational
opportunities to accessible housing has been
instrumental in getting me out into the world and
enjoying life again following my stroke...One day on the trip we were
just floating along and everything was so vibrant and breathtakingly beautiful
and
perfect and I thought about how lucky we really are. I mean, you get home and
you have
to deal with your disability but when you’re on the river in the Canyon, all
that disappears
and you just think it’s a wonderful life no matter how you have to go thorough
it.
-Susan, a non-verbal wheelchair user from a stroke
I have
cerebral palsy. I have a wheelchair. I learned that people’s differences
or backgrounds don’t matter when you’re out in the middle of nowhere.
Everyone is on equal ground. I would like to say those were the best seven days
of my life. -Mandy, a teenager with cerebral palsy
This program is a great
way to build the self-esteem of someone
who is physically challenged. - James, adaptive cycling participant
Thank you for all you and
your comrades do for all those who have incarnated
in this life with special challenges. You touch so many lives in such an
amazing
way. I hope you realize how valuable and inspirational you are.
-Mother of adaptive cycling and sled hockey participant
I am a full-blooded Hope
raised on the Reservation in Moenkopi Village. Before my accident I was
very outgoing, had lots of friends, and loved to play basketball. Always
on the go! When I realized that I am no longer ever going to do my thing
again. The reason that I would like to attend River Rampage is that even
though I am unable to feel a thing from shoulder down, I can still feel
excitement! This will be the only event I will be able to do because of my
disability. I want to feel...
-Alicia, River Rampage application