Being a paraplegic of 35 years, has forced me to focus on life and the meaning thereof. I found that I could still enjoy my passions, one of which was my love for the challenge of fly fishing. It is impossible for me to pass a body of water without wondering what big one might be waiting there to pit itself against me.

One of my dreams was to fly fish on the Orange river in search of the tenacious yellow and gold fighters lurking within its waters.  (See Legless on the Orange) In 2019 this “impossible” adventure became a reality for myself and another disabled friend. With determination and a network of friends that shared the same passion and joy of the outdoors, we set up camp where a tributary flow into the Orange River and fished for 5 days.

With no amenities, the only electricity supplied by a small foldable solar panel, the nearest medical assistance 4 hours away and the potential dangers the mighty Orange River, I must admit that it crossed my mind that this is may be no place for someone in a wheelchair.

After a hard day of fishing and negotiating the sand and rocks, we would push ourselves into the river to bath. To see two people in wheelchairs in the middle of a river is probably something no one would expect, seeing two naked people in wheelchairs in the middle of the river I guess would be a once in a lifetime experience (sight)

One thing we realized, too late, was that if you ventured too deep, the fat tires on the wheelchair would float and topple you into the river. We were washed down the river and had to grab onto some boulders downstream. After our fellow campers eventually recovered from their shock and then fits of laughter, they safely recover us and our chairs.

On this adventure I discovered that fear of the unknown and not having the comforts a disabled person relies on, hinders us from participating in all the wonderful things life has to offer.

Sitting around crackling campfire and the murmur of the flowing river while the sun was setting, I would reflect on the day and how the challenges could be made easier.

I also realized that if we had products that would make it easier, disabled people would venture out of their comfort zones more often. And so the inspiration that would lead to Globetrotter-Motion years later was sparked.

See the disabled events at Western Province Fly Fishing Association