*The Sato family, who participated in the "Let's go with the whole family! Wheelchair Snow Play Tour," were one of those families who had such hesitations. However, through this tour, where they could try out dual skiing (seated skiing piloted by someone who has passed a rigorous test) that allows them to ski in their wheelchairs, they were reminded of the fun of going out as a family and the wonderful world that awaits them once they take that first step.
*About the "Bring the whole family! Wheelchair Snow Play Tour"
*A limited package tour held in Hokkaido by JAL Pack and JAL in collaboration with the ATA Alliance. Six families attending Yokohama Rehabilitation Center participated.
*ata Alliance: A general incorporated association that uses highly specialized equipment and technology to provide sports and activities adapted for people with disabilities.
What did the Sato family gain from this tour? We spoke to them in detail along with the Jibiki family, who also participated in this tour and are seniors who enjoy various activities with their disabled daughter.
Interview and text: Toshiro Ishii
The starting point was a desire to broaden the horizons and possibilities of children's lives through a variety of experiences.
OnTrip JAL Editorial Department (hereinafter referred to as JAL): In the case of the Sato family, what kind of places have you chosen to go on outings as a family in the past?
The Sato family was full of energy during the interview.
Ms. Sato (mother) (hereafter referred to as Sato (mother)): I have three children, and before my third daughter was born, we went out quite a bit. My eldest daughter loves baths, so I would look for facilities where we could take a hot spring bath together.
Mr. Sato (father) (hereafter referred to as Sato (father)): We also flew a lot. When my eldest daughter was still small, I was able to put her in the child seat provided by the airline.
Sato (mother): But when my daughter grew up and could no longer use a child seat, we stopped flying. I didn't know that even children who can't stay in a seated position can board an airplane if they use a belt to secure their upper body.
Also, since our children have increased to three, it is impossible for just the two of us to look after them all. We have ended up going out mainly within the range of our car.
JAL: Given that situation, what made you decide to take part in the Wheelchair Snow Play Tour?
Sato (mother): To tell the truth, I had never skied or snowboarded before. My parents didn't do winter sports, so I never had the chance to go to the snowy mountains.
So even when I was invited by friends as an adult, I would turn them down because I didn't want to be a burden. I felt that I had regrets, and thought that there were experiences that I didn't get the chance to have, and that I was missing out on something in life. So, recently, my eldest daughter's condition has stabilized and my younger children have grown up, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to let everyone experience playing in the snow.
JAL: I see. Meanwhile, you and your family have been doing a lot of activities together, such as mountain climbing, for a long time.
Jibiki (hereafter, Jibiki): Like Sato, I started out with the desire to give my children as many experiences as possible. My daughter can't move around much or play with things by hand, so it's difficult for her to experience and learn on her own. That's why I want to create as many opportunities as possible here. I also try to actively participate in activity-based experiences.
Jibiki-san climbing a mountain with his daughter, who was an elementary school student at the time, on his back. She was smiling happily on her father's back.
Jibiki: I have another younger brother who is healthy, and I want both of them to experience as many things as possible, regardless of genre, to broaden their world and find something they like from that.
The children are excited by the thrill they can't experience in their daily lives!
Both Jibiki and his son are active
JAL: The main activity on this "Wheelchair Snow Play Tour" was "dual skiing (seated skiing)." Even though it was piloted by a licensed pilot who had passed rigorous tests, it must have taken a lot of courage to let your child try it.
Jibiki: Actually, my daughter and I had tried dual skiing before, so I knew what it was like. So I wasn't worried about letting my daughter try it, but I was the one who was controlling the skis, so I regret that she could only ski passively (laughs).
JAL: So you wanted to give him a more challenging experience?
Jibiki: Maybe it's because I've been letting her experience a variety of activities since she was little, but my daughter has always loved thrilling activities. The reason we decided to join the Wheelchair Snow Play Tour this time was because I thought that a dual ski piloted by a professional would give her a much more thrilling experience than if I were to pilot it myself.
Sato (mother): Oh, actually, my child is like that too! Ever since he was little, he has loved playing with things that involve the wind and gravity, like swings, rather than quiet play. So when I found out about Dual Skis, rather than worrying that they might be dangerous, I was overwhelmingly more excited and thought, "My child will absolutely love them!!"
Sato-san (daughter) enjoying her first dual skiing
JAL: If that's the case, you two must have had a lot of fun dual skiing.
Sato (mother): Oh, really! He had a very excited look on his face.
Jibiki: I was worried about how much they would enjoy being on a snowy mountain for the first time in a while, but in the end, joining the tour was a great decision. They seemed very happy to be able to experience gliding at great speed from the summit to the base by leaving the controls to a professional. It's a thrill that I just can't experience with my skills (laughs).
Parents and daughters skiing down the snowy mountains together! I'm grateful to my daughter for giving me this wonderful experience.
This time, a pilot will control the ride and you can enjoy the thrill of descending from the summit!
Sato (father): Aside from my daughter's joy, I think I was the one who enjoyed the tour the most. Actually, snowboarding was my hobby until I got married. So I was really happy to be able to snowboard for the first time in a while on this tour. What's more, it was a really great experience to be able to ski down the slopes with my daughter on dual skis.
Family photo at the summit. Afterwards, the parents and children enjoyed skiing together!
Sato (mother): Even after we returned from the tour, I was in a good mood for a while and kept thanking my daughter, "Thank you for taking me on tour!" (laughs).
Sato (father): To be honest, I couldn't imagine that we could do winter sports together as a family, because my eldest daughter uses a wheelchair. Even if I wanted to go, I didn't think it would be possible, considering the transportation to the location and taking care of the children. So I'm really grateful to my wife for finding this tour.
Once you take that first step with your family, endless possibilities await.
JAL: It seems like not only the children but the whole family had a fun experience. Looking back on this tour, please tell us your impressions.
Sato (mother): When I usually spend time with my three children, it's difficult to spend time with each one, but on this tour, I was able to give each sibling "time to have my mother just look at me" for the first time in a while. Aside from when my eldest daughter was dual skiing, many staff members were watching the children, so I was able to concentrate on each one carefully. Even though we spend time together all the time, I was able to discover new sides to my children.
Sato-san enjoys sledding with her eldest son while her eldest daughter and husband are skiing.
Children enjoyed playing in the snow while away from their parents, under the watchful eye of staff.
Sato (mother): But more than anything, this was my first time ever climbing a snowy mountain, so I think it was the best experience I'll ever have as a memory for myself.
I'm sure there were some families who were all dressed up in skiwear and skiing together, right? I felt a little jealous. I thought to myself, "Next time, I'll have to try skiing too!" (laughs)
Among the tour participants were families who enjoyed skiing together!
JAL: So your desire to give your child an experience was the starting point, and ultimately it expanded the possibilities for your own experiences?
Jibiki: I think that's true not just for this tour, but for many other things too. Having my daughter there allowed me to experience a variety of activities, and through those opportunities I was able to connect with a variety of people.
Jibiki-san (daughter) has a beaming smile as she enjoys skiing on a snowy mountain.
Jibiki: In any case, jumping into a new world you've never experienced can be scary. Especially for parents with children with disabilities, they may hesitate to try new experiences due to concerns about the difficulty of caring for their children or safety. But once you actually try it, you'll probably find that it's actually so easy and fun!
Jibiki enjoyed mountain climbing and skiing even as a student, but the activities he participated in with his daughter broadened his horizons even further.
Sato (mother): For our family, this dual skiing experience was exactly that. I was worried that I couldn't even ski, so would I be able to let my wheelchair-bound daughter experience dual skiing? But with the right support, it turned out to be surprisingly easy to achieve.
Excited to be flying for the first time in a while! For Sato's family, flying with three children was a challenge
Sato (father): The most memorable thing about this tour was something someone from ata Alliance told us: "Please don't put limits on yourself."
I didn't realize it, but I had been unconsciously setting limits for myself, for example thinking that it would be difficult to enjoy winter sports with my family. Realizing this through this tour was the biggest benefit for me and my family.
At the pre-event briefing, a representative from the ata Alliance introduced wheelchair accessible mountain and sea activities and said, "Don't put limits on yourself!" This resonated with Sato.
JAL: By the way, is there any experience you would like to try in the future?
Sato (mother): Up until now, when I traveled, it was natural to choose a hotel with barrier-free facilities, but through this experience, I've gradually become more greedy (laughs). Next time, although it may be difficult to go camping, we're talking about trying something outdoors, like glamping in a cottage.
Jibiki: In recent years, my daughter and I have become obsessed with a two-seater yacht called the Hansa. It was built with safety in mind, and is designed so that anyone can easily operate it, so it can be enjoyed safely even by my daughter. Last year, we even participated in the world championships held in Hiroshima. Having experienced mountain climbing, winter sports, and yachting, we have conquered the mountains and the sea, so next we're talking about the sky, maybe skydiving?
The Jibiki family also participates in yacht competitions.
Sato (father): Wow! So you've had that experience too! Please tell me more about it next time. If I have the chance, I'd love to try it at home too!
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
