Åre, Sweden
Total Ski Skolan
Back-Up’s Sweden courses are for first-time tetraplegic skiers and second-time tetraplegic skiers who want to improve their ski kart skills. Groups are made up of six tetraplegic skiers, four able bodied skiers and six nurses/carers. Back-Up teams up with instructors from Sweden’s National Ski School for the Disabled, with each skier receiving individual instruction. The aim is to gain a ski licence enabling participants to ski independently. The Åre, Sweden courses last for seven days.
“Being in Sweden with Back-Up has given me lots of courage and the confidence to push on with things that I thought I couldn't do.
All I can think about now is going forward with my dreams!”
Isayas C6/7, aged 31
For further details contact Ally or Catherine on:
020 8875 1805 or email
Winter course inspiration...
Chris Capps, who has a C6 SCI, went on his first Back-Up course last winter after being encouraged to do so by the Programmes Team! He had not been skiing prior to his injury and was nervous about how he would cope being subjected to the elements in Sweden! But it proved to be a life-changing decision.
Chris was amazed by, “how in control of their own lives the other wheelchair users on the course were.” Going skiing gave him the opportunity to learn from his peers and pick up loads of tips on how to make his day-to-day life easier. He said:
“I gained a new motivation and direction after seeing how the other wheelchair users looked after themselves and were so independent”.
The first thing he did when he returned home was to get a wheelchair which fitted properly. This has made a massive difference and there has been no stopping him since! He said:
“I have returned to University to continue my Architecture Degree studies and plan to start driving next month, something I would never have considered prior to going to Sweden!”
Going to Sweden also gave Chris the motivation to put more effort into his physiotherapy tretament and practice his transfer skills so that he can start going out socially again.
Chris has remained in regular contact with Back-Up and summed up the benefits of attending a winter course:
“It was so much fun and spending a whole week with other people with spinal injuries enlightened me to the possibilities of what can be achieved with a little hard work.”
Courses: