BBQ and Activities Day 2019

Spinal Injuries Scotland’s annual BBQ and Activities Day was an outstanding success again this year.

While not as sunny as the previous year it stayed dry and warm enough for everyone to spend the whole day outside. We were proud to be able to offer the opportunity to patients currently in the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit (QENSIU) the opportunity to get out and try new activities as part of their rehab. We were also very happy to see a good turn-out from our members and ex-patients who had attended the event in previous years and wanted to try it again. With the continued support from National Lottery Awards For All we are able to offer activities throughout the year completely free for our members.

We were joined on the day by our partners Digby Brown and Bullen Healthcare as well as the charities Disability Equality Scotland, and I Am Me who were promoting their Keep Safe campaign in conjunction with Police Scotland. Country Corner Cycles were present giving a demonstration of their wheelchair power add-ons.

The day had something for everyone from sailing, kayaking, canoeing and hand biking for the more intrepid to powerboating and yoga (provided by Yogability) for those who wanted to stay in their chairs, with one attendee saying that though they are “not sporty I would like to try the speedboat again”. Digby Brown once more provided an excellent barbecue that was demolished in record time leaving those who went back for thirds disappointed.

The usual variety of hand bikes were available including performance-orientated recumbent bikes designed around getting the best speed out of your available arm power. The Mountain Trike was also available to try with the unique lever drive system that allows the rider to have clean dry hands whatever the terrain. Hand-cycle trikes and side-by-side trikes were also at hand. Equal Adventures travelled down from Grantown-on-Spey with their all-terrain BOMA, which was very popular and had lots of people whizzing around at top speed!

The wind allowed lots of people to try the sailing boats which can fit one or two people. The boats have hand controls to allow riders to control the boats themselves.

The kayaks and canoes are fitted with a floating device on the back of them that prevent them from capsizing, allowing those with balance issues to feel confident as they tour the 1.5 mile long Castle Semple Loch.

It was a fabulous day and Spinal Injuries Scotland would like to thank everyone who came along and took part in the available activities. We would also like to thank STV for coming along on the day. We hope that we will see those who and want to try more back for another session this year!

If you would like to try kayaking, canoeing, sailing or hand-biking please contact Spinal Injuries Scotland on info@spinalinjuriesscotland.org.uk for more information. We can arrange opportunities to try these sports completely free for our members.

I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to do anything and now I want to do more.