I was listening to the radio the other day when this song came on. The song isn’t so much what I wanted to tell you about, but rather the video. You’ve got to see this. I was at work a while back and someone showed it to me. I’d heard the song a hundred times already as it’s quite popular, but I’d never seen the video. Needless to say I was floored. The determination and drive… well… you really have to see it for yourself. I see the “Renegade” here as someone who abandons the norms, leaves behind the box of what society deems normal or appropriate for what a person with disabilities is capable of, then exceeds those expectations.
These people inspire me. I’ve had times on a difficult hike or portage, where I’ve thought of the man in this video climbing the mountain, and it made me smile and carry on.
My day job involves working with adults with developmental disabilities. I’m a huge believer that if someone wants to do something, whatever that is, they should able to do it. I want to be a part of something that makes that happen.
If you’ve been following along from the beginning, you know that before I ventured out into the backcountry, I took a class from ORCKA called Canoe Tripping Leadership. It was an amazing experience and I learned all the skills needed to venture out into the woods. Most importantly, it gave me the confidence to finally venture out on a backcountry trip solo. I’ve always wanted to do that. I was pretty lucky to find the support to do the things that I wanted to do. I want everyone to have that chance.
The leader of that trip, Andy, also happens to work with people with disabilities, although in a different way. This is how I found out about Abilities in Motion. They offer adaptive paddling to people who may need some additional support. I recently had the chance to start volunteering with them, and I’d be thrilled if you’d check them out!
Give them a like, follow along, and if something strikes your fancy, feel free to get involved! I don’t think you’ll regret it. We can all be Renegades.
www.abilitiesinmotion.ca
www.facebook.com/AbilitiesInMotion
www.twitter.com/abilitiesmotion
www.instagram.com/abilitiesinmotion.ca
Go Outside 
WOW, what a powerful video. Now, that I saw the video, the song I as well have heard many times before. Watching that makes me think that anybody is really only limited by their imagination in what the might want to try; work at; and accomplish. True they might need bit of support along the way – but thats ok.
The fella climbing the mountain really touch me, as well as the group on the hike. That was very inspirational.
But, so was all the sports: mix martial arts; wrestling; skate boarding; power lifting and on and on
There is a documentary on Netflix called “Valley Uprising” that chronicles the rise of rock climbing within Yeosmite National Park, focusing on the world standard in rock climbing of El Capitan(3,000 foot rock face), Think trying to climb the outside of the CN Tower. Towards the end of the film, there is a very short 30 second part of a guy that doesn’t have use of his legs, but climbs El Capitan using a belay/brake system on a fixed line, where he essentially does 500 pull-ups a day over a week or so to the climb the 3000 foot face. Sleep at night attached to the rock face. Pretty amazing. All he needed was a bit of support and mission accomplished. That guy and those who helped them are truly “Renegades.”
I love your definition of a “Renegade” – as someone who abandons the norms, leaves behind the box of what society deems normal or appropriate for what a person with disabilities is capable of, then exceeds those expectations.
What a great post Joyce!
It was wonderful – you found support in the Trip Leadership Course that gave you the confidence and skills to backcountry solo, something you always wanted to do. So, between your day job and now volunteering with “Abilities in Motion” …….. aren’t you simply “PAYING IT FORWARD – A Renegade!!”
Thanks for posting this and sharing how you are helping to “leave behind the box of what society thinks is normal or appropriate”.
Maybe this will inspire other to check “Abilities in Motion” out, or search out other agencies or opportunities to be a “Rengade”, and that includes me as well.
Thanks again!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful thing to say! Your comments are always so insightful.
I think I’m going to have to check out that documentary! Knowing me I’ll just skip to the cool 30 seconds lol. I’m surprised that’s all he got! But wow… I can’t imagine climbing the cn tower, and I have full use of my legs. These people really amaze me!
Thank you so much again for the kind words!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey no problem. Meant every word of it.
A very timely and inspirational post. It was a great video that tugged at the heart strings. It’s encouraging that groups like Abilities in Motion exist to help all people achieve their dreams. The documentary really focuses on the characters and the growth of rock climbing in Yeosmite National Park and the El Capitan rock face. The rock is truly out of this world. Considering it took the first team 2 years to climb it with ropes, protection etc. Now people(just some) free climb it(no protection at all) in just a few hours. The fellow I mentioned, his bit is only 20 – 30 seconds in length, but it shows how truly remarkable these athletes are.
It’s worth it to watch the entire documentary. I found it very interesting the mindset of some of these climbers.
Anyhow, thanks for posting and doing the work you do during the day. I bet you’re a hero – a Renegade” to those you help support.
Chat later
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! 2 years to a few hours! ? That’s insane! I’ve got to try that someday… but you bet I’ll be using ropes and all the gear. I don’t know how those free climbers do it!
I only hope I’m that kind of support to the guys I support… but really, they’re the hero’s. They teach me something every single day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The guys and gals who have free-climbed it, have a completely different mind-set/worldview. But, are great world-class athletes.
LikeLiked by 1 person