This is the zip line that I built at Faith Christian Camp. Ever since I started building these things, Ive had this dream of making it so people that cant walk could still ride one. If you think about it, (and my rock climber friends can back me up), the only thing your legs do in a harness is keep you in it.You dont need to be able to walk as long as your legs will support you and keep you in the harness. As I was discussing the design of the launch tower with the staff at the camp, the subject of a ramp leading up to the launch platform was considered, but cut due to the cost and the amount of space a ramp would take. To build a straight ramp this tall that was ADA compliant, would require a ramp about 150 feet long. I had pretty much given up on that ever happening at this location. I never thought, why not just carry them up the stairs? Fast forward to yesterday morning. I get a message from Sawyer Adams, the tech guy at the camp, that he had a question. I send my phone number and he calls back in a few minutes. He tells me that they have a young lady there at the camp this week who has Spina Bifida. I knew enough about the condition to know what was coming next. This young lady wanted to ride the zip line and they wanted to run it past me, (as the designer and answer guy), weather I though she might be able to ride. Sawyer and I talked for a while and camp up with a way to rig and trolley her with him going along as a guide. We went back and forth with a few ideas and finally settled on a plan. A few minutes later I was on the phone with my brother, Ron Cox, who is the director of the camp. We talked for a bit and it sounded like this was really going to happen. Get Me Photographs, I said as I hung up the phone. I didnt say anything to anyone that this was taking place, but inside, I was about to explode. I was sweating bullets over the next 24 hours. I got home tonight and was blessed beyond anything I have ever seen. Here is the message that I got from my brother with the attached photographs. Wednesday Ron Cox 7/30, 4:10pm Ron Cox Eric... Well, as the pictures tell, we got Savannah down the zip line. It took Sawyer, Jeremy and Mike to make it work but it worked freaking perfect!!! Sawyer went with her but that little angel had the time of her life. To me, thats what camp is all about right there! Im not my computer and some of the pictures didnt come out the best but I have no editing software. I figure you can edit them better than I can anyway. I asked her mom and you have permission to re-post these wherever you want. Sawyer actually strapped a GoPro camera on his helmet so we should have some video footage of her to post as well. For the record, pic one is her sister with her hands on the wheel chair and her grandmother in the foreground, pic two is her mom. The rest are just the trip down the line... (end of message) Heres a little girl who just experienced something that she will remember for the rest of her life. Her mom was just as thrilled. To say I am humbled, doesnt even come close to describing how I feel right now. I really dont think I even need to find words. Im just really, really happy inside right now. I hope this is the start of something big.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 02:10:40 +0000
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