Last Sunday, for the first time in Malta, a blind person, a paraplegic, a person with spina bifida and another with impaired coordination, were able to experience the joy and satisfaction of ascending a rock face on a rope.

Training for the participants of the Razzett Ability Challenge 2006 has reached its final stages. Besides fitness training, the participants are being trained in the skills and techniques needed to tackle the challenges they will face between 14 and 21 August in the south of France.

The Ability Challenge will take 25 Maltese participants to the foothills of the Alps Maritimes, a natural playground where a variety of adventure sports can be enjoyed. The aim of this activity is to heighten awareness of the capabilities of the disabled and to raise funds for the Razzett.

The week-long programme of extreme sports will include mountain trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, canyoneering, paragliding and “via ferrata”.

Training for the Challenge began some weeks ago, focusing mainly on the fitness of the participants. The technical training includes rope techniques, abseiling and climbing skills needed for the via ferrata and canyoneering.

Last Sunday, all the participants, including the four participants with various disabilities, attended a rock climbing training session at the Victoria Lines, limits of Gharghur. This will be followed by further rope, rock and water techniques in the coming weeks.

The disabled participants all have a great sense of adventure and are eagerly awaiting the Ability Challenge week, where they can show their capabilities in extreme sports. They are really determined to show the general public that they should be judged on their abilities and not on their perceived disabilities.

The Challenge is a team initiative demanding that able bodied and disabled team members work together to achieve the goal of the day and beat their opponents; what better way to show the public as well as potential employers that people of all abilities can cooperate together to surmount seemingly impossible tasks.

Part of Razzett tal-Hbiberija’s mission and objectives is to promote the uniqueness and dignity of every individual by providing opportunities like the Ability Challenge through which individuals can develop their strengths, interests, capabilities and talent.

Razzett strives to assure continued community support by creating leisure programmes and events including sports, so that such activities can be enjoyed by people with all abilities and at the same time encourage integration and inclusion of people from different social strata having varied abilities.