Why I am skydiving for Crohn’s and Colitis UK and Dyspraxia
Foundation
On
Sunday 28th June 2009 my dad completed a tandem skydive in aid of
Multiple Sclerosis Society. He was diagnosed with the neurological condition in
1998. In a matter of twenty years he has gone from running half-marathons to a
living in a nursing home due to his serious complex and unpredictable primary
health care needs. It is remarkable to think he was able to undergo such a feat
whilst he was still just about able to do so.
Exactly
nine years later, on Thursday 28th June 2018 I will be doing the
same as my dad and will be completing a tandem skydive, but this time in aid of
Crohn’s and Colitis UK and Dyspraxia Foundation. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease
at thirteen years old and dyspraxia at the age of eighteen. My journey living
with these two hidden disabilities has included being bullied at secondary
school; regular hospital admissions; flare-ups and surgery; tears, anger,
embarrassment, isolation and fear; and further complications with mental health
too.
Nevertheless,
I also believe Crohn’s disease and dyspraxia have made me a creative, bright,
funny, courageous and determined individual. I am proud to have achieved a
first-class honours degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from
University of Hertfordshire despite having tri-weekly learning support lessons during
the first three years of secondary school. I am also proud to have passed my
driving practical test first time in an automatic car as of March 2018.
Raising
awareness of all forms of hidden disability and mental health conditions is so
important to me. One reason is to challenge the stigmas and taboos which still
exist. We are not stupid, lazy or dangerous. We are definitely not ‘freaks’,
‘losers’ or ‘retards’ as some of the bullies at secondary school suggested I
was. Instead we are amazing people who achieve incredible ambitions.
I am
completing this tandem skydive in aid of Crohn’s and Colitis UK and Dyspraxia
Foundation as they are two charities which support thousands of people across
the country who live with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and specific learning
conditions, respectively. It is also their mission to increase understanding
especially among professionals in health and education and to spread awareness
of how people living with the condition and their loved ones can be helped.
Both
charities have been very supportive. I regularly write articles, appear on
radio shows, and am a member of Crohn’s and Colitis UK’s Readers Panel. In June
2017, I was humbly awarded the ‘Matthew Hunt Award’ for ‘outstanding achievement
in raising awareness of dyspraxia’.
The
charities continue to do excellent work to support thousands of people living
in the United Kingdom. Therefore, this tandem skydive is my way of saying thank
you to them but also to you who have listened or read every word and are there
on the toughest of days, but also in the joy, laughter and celebrations as
well. Plus, I like to think I will also be doing my dad proud by flying through
the sky like a butterfly.
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If you
would like to kindly donate, please do. You can do so through any of the
relevant links below.
For Jake
Borrett’s Team Page, please follow this link:
To donate to Crohn’s and Colitis UK, please follow this
link:
To donate to Dyspraxia Foundation, please follow this link:
Thank
you so much for your kindness.
On
Thursday 28th June 2018, wherever you may be or whatever you may be
doing make sure to look up and admire the sky.
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| My dad completing a tandem skydive for Multiple Sclerosis Society in June 2009...Copyright © 2009 Leigh Borrett. All rights reserved. |
