Conquering wall with a smile

Press, 6 January 1987, Page 20

Conquering wall with a smile

Togia Leni, aged 12, of the Wellington West Scout contingent, was all smiles as he conquered the abseiling wall at the jamboree. 7 Helped by Neville Fox, left, a Venturer leader, and Duane Coughlan, a venturer, Togia said afterwards he enjoyed the experience. Highlights of the camp for Togia have been a helicopter ride, and an electronics project With the rest of his contingent, he helped in Rangiora with some community service on

Sunday. The scouts did everything from weeding gardens to picking up rubbish. It was, said Togia and his friends with a grin, not the most fun of their camp. Two special-needs advisers have been part of the camp. Mrs Margaret Blair, from Southland, and Mrs Elly Richards, of the Waikato, say many people do not realise that disabled are welcome, in the scouts movement

“Our job has been to give leaders support and help where we can,” said

Mrs Blair. “The camp has been a marvellous experience for all the scouts, the able-bodied have learned a lot and also been really helpful and interested in the disabled.”

Every scout at the jamboree has been on the Handicap Awareness Trail. They try the Braille alphabet, and also negotiate a wheelchair course.

“Simple tasks, like opening a door from a wheelchair, are not as easy as they look,” said Mrs Blair.