Tony’s Story

From a friend.

We spent 13 years trying to find a place that could not only cater for our daughter’s physical needs but also her emotional and particular sensory needs .

We were not successful … until Calvert Lakes.

I remember vividly meeting our first instructor Dan who went through the various housekeeping and safety things we needed to know but also the first days activities zip wire and high ropes and he kept talking to our daughter (who is non verbal) directly which was so refreshing.

Watching your child, who is restricted by her cerebral palsy, total blindness, epilepsy, wheelchair etc, be generally rebuffed by so many businesses and so-called activity organisations over 13 years was heartbreaking and soul destroying and so unfair.

Coming to Calvert, even on day one, we knew this place was different. A can-do, nothing too much trouble, fully empathetic, patient attitude, was incredibly refreshing and empowering.

That week our daughter abseiled off a cliff, went sailing on a catamaran, zip wired through 60 foot trees, went canoeing on a lake and so much more, and we witnessed a rebirth of a child who suddenly felt alive, felt seen and part of something.

The joy on her face and the way she made her happy noise so much that week are memories we will never forget and we watched her grow … it was priceless.

My wife and daughter.

This is so hard as there have been so many but I think watching and listening to her on the catamaran with the sails up the wind blowing in her face and the sails flapping along with the sounds of the waves, she was laughing from start to finish.

Her head poking through the bright orange life jacket enough to see her face lit up like a Christmas tree and her long hair being blown all over … she was, for those precious hours, loving her life to the full.

They refuse to define people by their physical or mental difficulties and look at each person as a true individual that just needs adjustments in order to take part fully in everything they have on offer and their staff are not only well trained and knowledgeable, but they truly care and it shows.

Empowering, inclusive, enabling, empathetic, stunning.

our new lease of life, our daughter’s second chance of truly being part and taking part in life.

the zip wire!

Tough one … but the staff from the office, the cleaners, the kitchen staff, the maintenance team and, of course, the instructors for without this incredible team you can have the best activities in the world you just couldn’t pull it off as good as they do.

watch our daughter live a life of joy, challenge and fulfilment.

empowering.