10 replies to this topic

[Apparelyzed]

Beyond Boundaries: Africa - Sundays at 9pm from 1st October, BBC2

Ever since the last series of Beyond Boundaries finished, we can reveal the good news - there's going to be a second series. "Beyond Boundaries: Africa" is coming to your screens on BBC2 this autumn.

So, what can we tell you about Beyond Boundaries: Africa, without giving too much away?

This time around, the eleven disabled participants are travelling across Africa, from Victoria Falls through four different ecosystems in a bid to reach the Skeleton Coast in Namibia.

But this time, there's a difference. Although all the participants are disabled, not all of the impairments are physical. How will this change the teamwork and group dynamic? Do people who are disabled in different ways understand and support each other's needs?

We'll find out in four weekly instalments as we follow their trials and tribulations during the expedition, and share the highs and lows of their journey across Africa.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...oundariesafrica

[LadyPilot]

What was the biggest challenge you faced as a result of your disability?

Heidi, one of the wheelchair adventurers is quoted as saying-

"Being with other disabled people. Up until three years ago I'd never had anything to do with disabled people - there's a them and me thing. Even now I try and avoid other disabled people as much as possible. I think this is common in spinally injured people."

Does anyone else agree with this? I have to admit that in the beginning I felt like this but 25 years down the line I have no stong feelings about other chairs. If the person in the w'chair interests me, then it's just the same as if they were AB.

[Lucydog]

I admit to being very ambiguous about this programme......

In a way she is half right. The thing with SCI IMHO (correct me if Im wrong) is that it tends to happen to youngish people, and happen suddenly. Most younger people dont have any experience of disability unless in your own family as hey we are all immortal! I know I didnt. But I have never shunned the company of disabled people, any more than I would of someone who was gay, old, black or asian. Im not interested in the outward appearance, only the person. Frankly I tend to feel slightly more comfortable with disabled people these days as there are similar points of reference and they see me not my chair. I also meet lots of people with all sorts of difficulties in my job and its been a huge eye opener for me.

Of course 'seeing' yourself as disabled is something different. Although I KNOW Im disabled, I still rather irrationally think that it applies to other people and not me!



My biggest challenge is still to come... giving birth and looking after a new born, but Ill be fine!

[Joed]

Lucydog, on Oct 1 2006, 11:34 AM, said:

Of course 'seeing' yourself as disabled is something different. Although I KNOW Im disabled, I still rather irrationally think that it applies to other people and not me!

That's me as well, Lucy. All my life I've seen myself as AB, and even though these past few years have loaded some major reality on me...my mind and spirit is very much AB.

But I've never felt the need to disassociate myself from people with disabilities. I practically grew up in Shriner's Hospitals, so as a child I was always surrounded by disability....most having much more severe disabilities to contend with than I did. We changed each other's bed pans....I watched many take their first steps in their lives....we cried and worried together....but we also had a lot of great times getting into trouble! Even planning our 'great escapes' from the hospital.

I wasn't too impressed with the first series of 'Beyond Boundaries', but the personal dynamics were interesting to watch unfold. I just hope they've designed some better functioning chairs this time around.

[eav]

Strangely I've never actually thought of myself as disabled, just not able to do what I used to do or felt it would be nice to do because: I haven't got transport; my needs can't be accommodated; the weather's filthy etc etc, I have friends and acquaintances of all types of people, who have different hurdles to get over in life. The biggest challenge I faced has been the lack of volume to my whisper, in most circumstances I can make myself understood, yet again it's up to whether or not others want to understand or try to understand.

I enjoyed watching and listening to people, the majority of who had obviously recognised and experienced the untapped strength humans have within themselve, wanting to challenge themselves more as most adventurers do. I'm looking forward to the new programme.

And I agree, it's the person who's inside I'm interested in.

[juls]

When i first left hospital i didn't want anything to do with other disabled people, mainly because people just assumed that if the other person is in a wheelchair you would be great friends. There is no difference between being disabled or able, you still have to have to have something in common to create a friendship
I quite like being friends with other sci people now...as long as we get along

[chimneygirl]

I struggled in the begining....
I was ok out on my own. After a while I realised my friends forgot about my chair.
When i went away with Back Up we were all in the same boat so that was ok to, it was just when I started socializing with other Spinally injured people, I used to feel like everyone thought "who let them out"... it was a process...
Now im fine 10 years on I accept im in a chair and when i catch a glimps of myself in a window, its fine!
I know people see a happy attractive woman, if they dont like the chair that's their process!!!

I admitt im fine with other SCI people, but i do still struggle a little with other disabilities, so i understand how other people can feel about me..... another process!!!

[bigsmiles]

Did anyone see it cus i missed it last night.

[gazrobsuk]

Yup,

Very watchable even though surprisingly there was bitchiness (guess it makes good TV) between the disabled people & people showing not much concern apart from themselves, but like lots of folks I sat there commenting how bad or good from my perspective & what I'd do blah so it was a bit addictive if not questionable as to why to push these folks through such hardship to prove or find themselves as one must be realistic IMO & I wouldn't push that hard due to my pain despite being very competitive & in my AB days would love some of that rafting stuff blah.

I'll carry on watching though so despite it's 'foibles' it's not bad.

bigsmiles, on Oct 2 2006, 04:24 PM, said:

Did anyone see it cus i missed it last night.

[Gary Anderson]

Here's my 2p worth.

I watched the first series and was glued to my seat. I thought it was great.

Along comes 2nd series and as I was off duty all weekend thought I would watch it. HOwever, have to say I was disappointed. It seemed to be "same old." The only thing different about this is the characters.

Not that I am belittling the achievements they have made but I just cannot see how many more series of this can be made without it becoming tiresome. Once was great, 2nd time not so good and I cannot see a 34d or 4th series myself.

Due to various injuries, I would not push myself as far as these guys go, I admit that for various medical reasons, my sporting days are over. I just find that as time goes on, this series could become mundane

[Chilepepper]

I thought the final show was tough when that guy had to bum up the side of the mountain on his butt. He must of been in the hospital for months after that repair his damaged skin. To me that was a bit to extreme for me. I love a challenge but that to me that was just a bit much. I had a had time watching him lift himself up over rocks and all to conker that mountain.