Dr Kelly Fleming

In August of 1999, I joined a group of 9 other people in an Outward Bound week-long trip. This trip was a unique opportunity to pair a Disabled person with an abled person for a 7 day canoe trip, rock climbing and of course camping.

The program was designed to teach outdoor survival skills but also teamwork and individual growth.

As part of that trip, we spend 22 hours alone. We all gathered in one location and one by one, each of us were taken to a separate island. We later found out some were on the same island but on opposite sides.

Each person was responsible for setting up their own camp. I was the most disabled of all the others. (It was kind of embarrassing to see my wheelchair perched in the middle of one canoe and a commode riding along on another canoe! 😂) Due to my limitations, the trip leaders set up my tent for me. Then I was left alone.

What do you do for 22 hours isolated? In my case as well, it wasn’t accessible ground for my wheelchair so I couldn’t just take a walk.

I was camped near the edge of the island and I was able to get close to a rock to transfer out of my chair and pull myself up the rock.

It took some time to actually be able to relax and enjoy my surroundings. I watched a barge pass by, enjoyed looking at the water and just letting everything go. I was the only Deaf person so I couldn’t listen to the sound of nature around me.

That time alone will remain with me forever. The complete feeling of silence and calm.

We were told to look for something during that time and bring it back to camp to discuss why we chose it.

I found a beautiful rock. I still have it and look at it everyday.

When asked why I chose the rock, I said it represented stability and growth.

That rock is a constant reminder to me that time is infinite but our time here is limited. We must do everything we can to live in the moment and cherish everything and everyone.