Arctic Origins

I have talked a lot about my belief in the potential of people with disabilities; a belief which stems not just from faith, but led by personal example. This is my story.

It was 2001, when I first heard about the adventures of Captain Robert Falcon Scott. It seems fitting now, that a man who broke the barriers of human endurance and crossed some of the world's most extreme environments, would inspire me to join an expedition, which would awaken in me a defining purpose; one which would guide my entire outlook on life.

I remember the day well. A man from the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES) had come to give a talk in our school assembly hall. There were several different expeditions on offer, in a variety of climates, but the one to Arctic Svalbard and the opportunity to follow in the footsteps (literally) of Captain Scott, was too much to resist. Many of my concerns, I shared with everyone else.  It was to be the first time that I had travelled abroad without my parents.  The extreme conditions there; the risk of frostbite; the numerous cravasses, visible only when you are falling through them, and the little chance of immediate help, if a serious injury has been inflicted, were just a few of my worries. Yet I also faced the added fears of communication, directly related to my disability. What if my team were in danger and I was unable to hear on a radio with a poor signal? What if a polar bear was behind me and I had not heard the danger? I was also with a group of people who were largely unfamiliar with deafness.    

What I found, was not only that I was able to communicate, but  from someone interested in learning sign language, to being asked advice about how to communicate with deaf people better, I also discovered that people were willing to communicate with me. I had mistaken one person saying that my sleeping bag was 'in his area' for 'I have malaria', but this I took light-heartedly and was actually rather humorous. All these examples determined to change my perception of the hearing world; from that of segregation, to one of integration, although I understand there are some exceptions. Communication is not about a particular group; that between hearing and hearing people or deaf and deaf people, but extends beyond barriers of nationality, disability, sexuality or other differences. Did you know that in some mainstream schools, hearing children are encouraged to learn sign language, or that there are Christmas productions that use sign-supported English? 

I went to Svalbard to follow in the footsteps of Captain R. F. Scott. The result of the expedition was that I became aware of my capabilities and not my disability. I am now working in the Houses of Parliament, with some amazing people. If this is not evidence of the capabilities of disabled people, then I wonder what is? 

The sky is the limit.      

During the expedition, a member of the team recorded a video as part of a BBC Radio 4 programme. It can be found at http://re.flect.net./http://re.flect.net/vimeo.com/3976447.

I also wrote a daily diary, which I hope you will find interesting. If you would like a copy, it is available by email, upon request.