PRESS RELEASE The last people are now preparing to fly from the UK, Malta and Canada today to meet a global team of 13 intrepid travellers from five continents, representing seven countries to embark on a trek to one of the wonders of the world, the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, South America. Many lucky people can put their hands up and say they have done such a thing themselves and it was a life changing and amazing experience. However have they ever done it blindfolded and with earplugs? An inclusive team of deafblind, deaf, hearing sign language users and hearing non-signers have decided to do just that. To walk in the shoes of people with a sensory vision and/or hearing loss and get a glimpse of what their day to day experience and life is like, while embarking on a once in a life time trekking adventure. Why are they doing this you may wonder? They are being led by a Deaf and Disability Leadership Team, consisting of Rev. Dr. Cyril Axelrod OBE, the only deafblind priest in the world and international humanitarian and trainer who has spent the last 42 years travelling the world advocating for the abilities and rights of deafblind and disabled people. His work has spanned five continents and this is his last continent to conquer and to show what deafblind people can do and achieve, and that it is certainly not a fate worse than death, which is sadly a common perception. He is being supported by his personal communicator guide and friend Simon Chan who has flown from Hong Kong to assist him and is representative of the Hong Kong Society for the Blind where Fr. Cyril has been Honorary Consultant for over five years helping them develop services for the deafblind and developing accredited training courses, which earned him the recognition of an honorary OBE from the Queen last November. Fr. Cyril speaks 15 languages (sign and spoken) and has had his autobiography translated into six languages round the world and has a huge international following. Following in the footsteps of Fr. Cyril the intrepid inclusive team are challenging themselves to try and lead by his example and get a glimpse into his life, and also those of other people who have a hearing or vision loss. They hope to help raise awareness of these issue to the general public and to document this journey on film to share with the world. The team are being led by a group of experienced Deaf Leaders who will be training and helping guide the inexperienced hearing and sighted people on how to overcome the many challenges of communication breakdown and social exclusion experienced by most deaf and disabled people on a daily basis around the world. The volunteer team of adventurous trekkers have been tirelessly fundraising throughout the year to help self fund to come on this trek co-ordinated by the organisation Charity Challenge. The team consists of school teachers, deaf child support assistants, a social worker, a vet and an art therapist and is representative of society with an even number of men and women, one deafblind, three deaf and nine hearing people. They are aged from 26 to 72 years old and have come from Australia, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Hong Kong and Malta to be part of this historic and pioneering event. It is hoped that this documentary and adventure will become an inspiration and catalyst for further like minded events and initiatives, and to spearhead inclusive opportunities and enterprises in the future around the world. Everyone involved has come with one mission, to promote and celebrate our common abilities and focus on what people with sensory loss or disabilities CAN DO rather than what they cannot. We wish them the best of luck with their endeavour and look forward to sharing their journey with them on their return.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 10:52:40 +0000
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