Johnny's Amazing Achievement!

Our mission is to ‘develop and deliver the best personal supports that listen to what you want and achieve what matters to you’.  While out walking with staff member Sandra, Johnny explained that he was ready to take on a challenge he had spoken about for some time.  Staff at our Dumfries Services couldn’t wait to put plans in place to help Johnny make this huge achievement.

For the past 7 years Johnny has wanted to climb Criffel Hill but his anxieties usually got the better of him and it never went any further than just talking about it.  However, due to the challenging year that everyone has just faced, Johnny decided that he didn’t want to keep putting his dream off and got to work planning his day!

During discussions with Sandra, Johnny decided that he wanted to try and make it all the way to the top of the hill.  They planned what date would be best by looking at Johnny’s support hours and the weather then looked at the bus timetable to make sure they knew which bus to get there and which bus would get them safely back home!  A few days before they were due to go, Johnny and Sandra went shopping for drinks and snacks and then on the day, they got their clothes, bags and walking boots and with fully charged phones and emergency numbers in hand off they went!

Here is what it meant to Johnny, in his own words!

The Day I conquered Criffel

“Criffel is the highest hill in Dumfries and Galloway. I have always wanted to climb Criffel so when I was asked what I wanted to achieve I mentioned Criffel.  Support was put in place and I couldn’t wait for the day to arrive.

My support worker Sandra and I set off early in the morning. We took the bus to the bottom of the hill and started walking. It looked very high from where we started and I wondered if would make it.

It was a pretty steep climb but I managed well. We took a little break at the halfway point and then carried on. When we finally got the top it was the best feeling ever. The view over Dumfries and Galloway was amazing. I had my photo taken. We then had a little picnic and returned. Going down was much easier.

I was very tired when I got home but over the moon with what I have achieved. Who knows, I might try Ben Nevis next!”

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