Public Sector's Local Heroes

May 4 2008

DISABILITY Snowsport Scotland have been helping disabled people experience the joy of skiing for more than 30 years. As the charity's development officer for the Central Belt, James Cuffin knows the benefits people get from gliding down a slope on a set of skis.

EXPERT skier James took over his new role in December and will oversee the expansion of Disability Snowsport Scotland's programme in central Scotland.

He said: "Skiing is an amazing experience that everyone should try. I have been doing it since I was 19 and I still get a buzz every time I get out on the slopes.

"We are dealing with people with varying levels of disability, from amputees and the visually impaired to people with spinal injuries or cerebral palsy. We're giving them the chance to experience something they would not normally get the chance to do."

Under the Disability Awareness Act, every ski slope in Britain now has to offer facilities for disabled skiers.

Based at the Xscape centre in Braehead, Renfrewshire, James also takes groups at artifical slopes in Bellahouston Park and Bearsden, Glasgow, as well as the Midlothian Ski Slope in Hillend. James said: "The national project has been running for three years and has proved a great success."

Consultant paediatrician and keen skier David Morris first noticed the positive effect skiing had on the co-ordination, balance and self-awareness of young people with cerebral palsy. Despite criticism of his ideas, he said "Why shouldn't you have a wheelchair on top of a mountain?"

The Uphill Ski Club based in the Cairngorms went on to extend the idea to include other disabilities before amalgamating with two other disabled charities to form Disability Snowsport UK in 2005.

James, 24, was working for an outdoor centre based in Aviemore when he first saw the charity's good work. He now provides expert tuition and organises overseas ski trips for youngsters aged 11 to 25.

Visit www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk