Miss-Delectable
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http://icsurreyonline.icnetwork.co....r-undertake-charity-challenges-name_page.html
CLIMBING mountains and sailing seas are among challenges that two deaf people are taking in their stride.
Katie Davison and Mark Flower, both of Caterham, are undertaking high-adrenaline pursuits to test their stamina and raise money for The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS).
Katie, 33, of Weston Drive, was born profoundly deaf and has at times struggled with the disability.
She said: "Life was hard growing up.It wasn't easy being deaf as I missed out on many things and misheard lots of things, which I still do.Also, I was bullied a lot in school and learnt to stand on my own two feet.
"As I got older I proved I was as good as anybody else and was no different to others.I had to fight hard to get where I am today, and will continue to do so to reach my achievements."
Swimming and badminton are among Katie's hobbies,but her real passion is sailing, which she will demonstrate from July 25 to August 5 when she takes part in Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight.
She said: "I have always wanted to, ever since I started sailing nine years ago. Just breathing the sea air makes me feel alive, making me leave my worries at the dock."
Katie will compete in the sonar fleet with 20-year-old Ruth Morrison, of Oxford, who is also deaf.
Katie met Ruth through their sailing club in Oxford, where she was asked to take part in the Cowes Week competition.
They cannot wear hearing aids on the boat, and must have a hearing skipper to communicate with coastguards if they get lost.
Julia Brett and coach Richard Beardsley are both hearing people who know British Sign Language (BSL), so they will be part of the team to make it possible. Katie will be responsible for the jib (front sail) and will use BSL to communicate.
Katie said: "I can't wait to be part of the festival and take in the atmosphere. It is rare that disabled people are part of Cowes Week, and I feel proud of myself."
Mark Flower, 35, of Annes Walk, was also born deaf.He works as a management accountant, but took time out to do a trek across the Great Wall of China. Mark covered a distance of 47 miles in five days over steep mountains in the hot sun.
He said: "The most challenging thing about the trip was walking up hills to reach the wall on very hot sunny days.
"The other hard thing was getting on with other participants and communicating with them, as I am profoundly deaf and my speech is not that brilliant. But we all got on very well and they were keen to learn some sign language.
"I always wanted to visit the Great Wall of China and get a physical visualisation as it is such an amazing sight. You could see the wall for miles.
"It was important for me to raise money for a deaf charity because I have known the problem of bringing up deaf children as I am deaf. I can see how the charity helped me to learn to get on with other deaf children within my local area."
Mark went on his own and met 32 other challengers for the trip. He raised almost £3,000 alone for NDCS. Rather than getting some rest, he is already planning a trip for next year, to walk the Inca Trial in Machu Picchu in Peru - 4,000 metres high.
To find out more,call the NDCS challenges team on 0870 774 2444 or visit: www.ndcschallenges.org.uk
CLIMBING mountains and sailing seas are among challenges that two deaf people are taking in their stride.
Katie Davison and Mark Flower, both of Caterham, are undertaking high-adrenaline pursuits to test their stamina and raise money for The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS).
Katie, 33, of Weston Drive, was born profoundly deaf and has at times struggled with the disability.
She said: "Life was hard growing up.It wasn't easy being deaf as I missed out on many things and misheard lots of things, which I still do.Also, I was bullied a lot in school and learnt to stand on my own two feet.
"As I got older I proved I was as good as anybody else and was no different to others.I had to fight hard to get where I am today, and will continue to do so to reach my achievements."
Swimming and badminton are among Katie's hobbies,but her real passion is sailing, which she will demonstrate from July 25 to August 5 when she takes part in Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight.
She said: "I have always wanted to, ever since I started sailing nine years ago. Just breathing the sea air makes me feel alive, making me leave my worries at the dock."
Katie will compete in the sonar fleet with 20-year-old Ruth Morrison, of Oxford, who is also deaf.
Katie met Ruth through their sailing club in Oxford, where she was asked to take part in the Cowes Week competition.
They cannot wear hearing aids on the boat, and must have a hearing skipper to communicate with coastguards if they get lost.
Julia Brett and coach Richard Beardsley are both hearing people who know British Sign Language (BSL), so they will be part of the team to make it possible. Katie will be responsible for the jib (front sail) and will use BSL to communicate.
Katie said: "I can't wait to be part of the festival and take in the atmosphere. It is rare that disabled people are part of Cowes Week, and I feel proud of myself."
Mark Flower, 35, of Annes Walk, was also born deaf.He works as a management accountant, but took time out to do a trek across the Great Wall of China. Mark covered a distance of 47 miles in five days over steep mountains in the hot sun.
He said: "The most challenging thing about the trip was walking up hills to reach the wall on very hot sunny days.
"The other hard thing was getting on with other participants and communicating with them, as I am profoundly deaf and my speech is not that brilliant. But we all got on very well and they were keen to learn some sign language.
"I always wanted to visit the Great Wall of China and get a physical visualisation as it is such an amazing sight. You could see the wall for miles.
"It was important for me to raise money for a deaf charity because I have known the problem of bringing up deaf children as I am deaf. I can see how the charity helped me to learn to get on with other deaf children within my local area."
Mark went on his own and met 32 other challengers for the trip. He raised almost £3,000 alone for NDCS. Rather than getting some rest, he is already planning a trip for next year, to walk the Inca Trial in Machu Picchu in Peru - 4,000 metres high.
To find out more,call the NDCS challenges team on 0870 774 2444 or visit: www.ndcschallenges.org.uk
