MS Glows

Published 10 March 2011, Posted in National / 1 Comment

Article by Gael Nankivell

Waipu Caves was set as the challenge for our exercise group. If we were MS-free, we would probably have leapt at this opportunity, but leaping was definitely out of the question! So I approached the idea with a degree of wariness. Walking and balance were not quite as they used to be, and going into a dark, slippery hole in the ground might pose a few problems…

Helmets and lights on, we negotiated our way into the first part of the cave easily. Our guide and instructor, Anna Boyce, shared her knowledge of the caves and our reward, having extinguished our lights, was to see the starry glow worms above.

Now, who wanted to venture further? Me! Armed with enthusiasm and determination, fuelled with Anna’s “hot sticky” drink and chocolate fish, I crouched under overhangs of limestone rock, got gumboots full of water, clambered over mud-slimed rocks, slithered through crevices and sidled along on my now mud-encased bottom. Never once did Anna tell me I could not do this, though she did have the ability to temper my enthusiasm with safety in mind for the entire group. With endless patience she found alternate routes and ways to overcome obstacles.

Walking back out into the brilliant sunshine and heat of the day, I had a sense of… relief? No, of achievement, of having conquered my MS for a few hours, of feeling as though I was a part of the “normal” world. And Anna had reinforced for me the need to concentrate, not on what I can’t do, but on what I can. Many thanks for an awesome experience:

MS Northland (especially our adventurous Field Officer Kathy Beals)
Anna Boyce of Sport Northland
The Oxford Sport Trust for their sponsorship
Challenge Trust for transport

Article by Brenda Mc Creedy
The trip to the caves was fantastic.  Although it was very wet, muddy and slippery it was well worth doing it.  Our guide through the caves was the most patient and encouraging person.  Anna made you feel safe especially when we were climbing up slippery rocks and having to get down the other side into tiny creviches and she never made me feel like I couldn’t do it. 

Since I am not very steady on my feet or very good at heights it was so amazing to be able to say that I did the whole thing. Everyone in the group was very helpful and there was always a hand in an unsteady moment, I managed to end up with a very muddy backside due to using the rocks as a slide.

It was very inspiring to watch those with the worst physical barriers beat the odds and achieve what they set out to do.  They are our heroes- really amazing.