go ape final

Go Ape had blisters, sore feet and aching arms, but all that was worth it for the zip wires and Tarzan swings!

Saturday saw the first youth event of the year Go Ape with a bang (did ya see what I did there?)!

We started the day with giant jenga (of which I lost both times, thanks to Olivia’s rules surrounding the game!), huge connect four and a general chit chat before heading off to our safety briefing with our instructor for the day. I was tasked with being the instructor’s demonstration tool for how to go about making your way around the canopy points using a ‘safety stage’ that was only a few feet off the ground. Following this, we moved through the stages, ending at number five, which finished with the longest zip line of the afternoon.

 

GO APE ARTICLE PICS - JACK, CHRIS AND MOLLY

Go Ape was a flippin’ good day for all in attendance and there was fun to be had all round. For the people who climbed the ropes and swung around in the trees living out their Tarzan fantasies, there was plenty to do and enjoy. For the people who didn’t feel up to it, they got to laugh at our expense and watch as we trundled around, screaming and hollering as we navigated the route in the canopy.

GO APE ARTICLE PICS - RICH ON ZIP LINE

There was a great mix of ages and the entire day felt inclusive to all levels of ability, and it wasn’t all about the activities, as the park Go Ape was situated in had a lovely lake and lakeside café. We nipped in for lunch and ended up staying for a good while, indulging in ice-creams, lollies and toasted sandwiches. It was so nice to sit around and chat with other people who have OCD and get to know them, without focusing on the illness but instead learning about what they do for fun, the subjects they might be studying or the jobs they have.

GO APE ARTICLE PICS - CHRIS IN TARZAN SWING

For people who don’t really understand what it means to live with OCD, it can be quite hard at times to grasp the difficulties when faced with something like Go Ape. Whether its checking that you’re safely attached to the ropes, worried about touching EVERYTHING or any number of illogical and irrational lies that OCD may tell you, turning up is an achievement.

It was inspiring to see so many young people coming together to do something just for the fun of it, despite whatever their OCD was telling them. Seeing anxious faces ease with smiles, climbing, good conversation and screams of exhilaration was my personal highlight of the day, because it showed to me that empowering people with OCD can genuinely have a positive impact on the way they fight back against their illness so that the fun doesn’t have to stop!

  • Note: You must be logged in to post a comment.
Loading