A snow-sports fan was given the surprise of life when his homecare provider, Right at Home UK, teamed up with Ski Sunday presenter and Olympic commentator Ed Leigh, to arrange a visit from the former-professional snowboarder, at a specially adapted skiing session.
David Richardson, aged 49 from Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex, hasn’t skied in more than 14 years but has continued to be a dedicated watcher of Ski Sunday particularly as it featured Ed.
David and Ed experience sit-skiing at The Snow Centre
David was told by his CareGivers, at Right at Home Bishop’s Stortford and Braintree, that they had arranged for him to attend a skiing session at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, where he would be guided down the slopes using adapted skis designed for people with limited or no use of their legs.
After making a few runs down the slope, David was amazed to be met by Ed Leigh himself, who flew in from Switzerland to join David for a special session on the snow. Ed also tried out sit-skiing for the very first time.
The day was arranged as part of Right at Home UK’s a tin-full of wishes campaign, which encourages CareGivers to nominate homecare Clients who deserve to have a once-in-a-lifetime wish granted.
David was nominated for the occasion by his CareGiver who wanted to recognise his positive outlook and determination to continue his hobbies of skiing, rock climbing and swimming despite the physical challenges he faces – making him an inspiration for his carers.
A whole community came together to make David’s wish come true. Instructors, Peter Thorpe and James Merrey, from Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) delivered the bi-skiing session and brought the specially adapted equipment with them. The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead also donated the use of their slopes and lift passes for the special day.
David said: “I’ve loved watching Ed Leigh’s reporting ever since I saw him interview a girl with autism. He was the first sports presenter I watched interview someone living with a disability and treat it as secondary to who they really were as a person.
David was given the surprise of his life when he met Ed Leigh
“I’ve no words to describe how happy I am to have shared this with him. I love skiing because it makes me feel free. Going down a slope, my body isn’t getting in the way of me doing what I want to do. The whole experience made me feel like me, just me without a disability, so I would like to thank everyone who made my wish come true.”
Ed said: “It’s incredibly humbling to be called someone’s hero. I’m honoured that David could have had any wish and he asked to meet me.
“I have many career highlights, but this experience is unforgettable. When I was asked to do this, there was no way I couldn’t come to meet him – how could anyone pass up the opportunity to make someone’s dream come true? Probably the most inspirational thing about David is that he refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer! We can all learn a lot from David.”
Liza Bolden, Registered Manager at Right at Home Bishop’s Stortford and Braintree said: “All of us at Right at Home are proud to be part of such a rewarding campaign. We’re grateful to everyone who came together to help make David’s wish come true, from our National Office Right at Home UK, who organised the surprise, the CareGivers who nominated him, and of course Ed Leigh, Disability Snowsport UK and the Snow Centre.
“We’re even prouder to be a part of David’s journey. Every CareGiver who works with him is inspired by his ambition to achieve each and every one of his dreams. David does absolutely everything he puts his mind to, and he has taught me that there is nothing we can’t do if we just believe we can. We are so proud of him for always wanting to do more and we are delighted to have played a part in making his dream come true.”
David’s wish is the third to be granted as part of Right at Home’s 10-Year Anniversary campaign – nicknamed a ‘a tin-full of wishes’ – to celebrate a decade of making a difference to their Clients’ lives by awarding 10 wishes to 10 lucky Clients in 2022.
- A video of the meeting between David and Ed can be viewed by CLICKING HERE
Categories: Club & Slope News, News