Adventure Alternative

Special needs travel

Finally after seven years at university I popped out the other end with a funny round hat and a doctorate to my name. I am now Dr John F Dowling with thanks to the support and encouragement I found within Loughborough University, friends and family; including those who run Adventure Alternative and the Moving Mountain Trust. Yet I have a severe disability that is named Cerebral Palsy.

What is disability? If a person needs to where glasses, or if they have wobbly legs are they disabled? What if you are a street child searching for food in Kibera slums of Nairobi? Within the eyes of Adventure Alternative and Moving Mountains everybody is an individual requiring Special Needs. Society views people with having different disabilities' but surely it should be 'capabilities'.

Before for I engaged in long academic study I met Gavin Bate, who is the Director of Adventure Alternative; I explained to him the difficulties that I have encountered accessing adventurous expeditions. Although other expedition companies were hesitant and nervous about taking me on a trip; Gavin Bate talked with my parents and doctor about my special needs and subsequently took me for four weeks in Kenya on Africamp. From this point fun began and just did not stop. Within Adventure Alternative there is no limit to the exciting activities available. I have been to Kenya, Uganda, Russia, Tibet and Nepal, often more than once. These trips included the ascent of Mt Kenya, Mt Elbrus in Russia and the North =Face Base Camp of Mt Everest amongst many other trips.

After my long tour of books within Loughborough University and the upside-down, pyramid, shaped library I was up for a complete change of life style and Adventure Alternative had just the tailor made trip. I embarked on two projects that took my girlfriend and me to Nepal for ten weeks. Firstly, in a remote Nepalese village, on the foothills of Everest, I evaluated the socio-economic consequences of installing a hydro-electric power plant. This power plant provided light at night and crop grinding facilities during the day. The second of the projects was to develop a software package that calculated the different amounts and sizes of conductors needed for a rural, low powered electricity network.

I have always adopted the philosophy of trying to do as much as possible as any able-bodied person would do. I love travel, adventure and outdoor pursuits and want to accomplish the sort of activities that most young adults strive towards. Although, I have to admit that some of the trips have been tough, demanding and physically very strenuous for me. An adventurer certainly needs a fair bit of determination to keep going and cope with the, sometimes harsh, weather and living conditions. However, this has far out-weighed the fantastic experiences, great friendships and personal achievements gained.

Fortunately for me, Gavin Bate and the Adventure Alternative team takes a positive regard to all people and assess their capabilities of achieving personal goals on the teams trips. I would like to personally thank them for allowing me the chance to fully partake in many of their fantastically, exhilarating trips despite my disability/capability. The teams talent of working with peoples positive attributes has accelerated my confidence such that I have solo backpacked in Australia, sky dived, and scuba dived to name but a few activities. Throughout my exciting activities with Adventure Alternative
I have always felt wonderfully looked after on all the expeditions and totally safe under the teams watchful eye.

Whatever your capabilities are you will find a warm, welcoming, helpful and positive encouragement when you join the Adventure Alternative team on a trip. So, whoever you are out there, especially if you are limited in capability, and if you are wondering whether you can manage any of these exciting trips organised by Adventure Alternative don't worry! Maybe you are feeling a bit apprehensive about what you might be letting yourself in for - relax! I can assure you that you will be in excellent hands with Adventure Alternative. They stride to help and encourage individuals to achieve the seemingly almost impossible personal goals. I can guarantee that you really will have that proverbial "trip of a life-time". Through Adventure Alternative, I certainly have done things and gone places I never thought would be possible. If I can do it, I am sure you can - so, go for it!

Written by Dr John F Dowling