MANY thanks for your donations - which are very much appreciated.

PHOTOS of SKYDIVING and BRIDGE CLIMB can be found on the photo album at http://greatldnsailor.bebo.com

BRIDGE CLIMB REPORT:  It took place at Sydney Harbour Bridge on Saturday 24 February 2007 at 11.25am (re-scheduled from 1.45pm upon my request). Experienced difficulties in getting to the Bridge Climb site because the certain area was sealed off by the police, and they did not let me go through. By having walked the way around would take longer, bearing in mind that I was not familiar with the surroundings. Explained to the police and they, being very helpful, escorted me through the sealed area to the Bridge Climb . This enabled me to reach there in time for the Bridge Climb start. After quick preparation and warm-up with my Australian sign language interpreter, I climbed with several flights of fixed ladders and steps to reach the top (415 metres above the sea). Marked  this a big success - despite me sweating lots due to humidity. Then back down - again using flights of ladders and steps! Was awarded a certificate to mark my successful participation in the Bridge Climb event. 

Reason for the area being sealed off was the US Vice President, Dick Cheney, came to Sydney to hold the news conference with his Australian counterpart, John Howard.

SKYDIVING REPORT:  it did take place on Saturday 17 February 2007 at 5.30pm with a success!  The surface temperature was 41.c. After 30 minutes' flight to reach 10,000 feet, the temperature was 5.c. Was not nervous - just happy, relax and did look forward to the first jump - out of the plane! Once out of the plane, I was in the freefall at the speed of 200km/h for a while to reach 4,000 feet then the parachute was released.  I said 'Oh what a relief!'. Had a happy safe landing... with huge applauses from my friends and the skydiving team on the ground! Was awarded a certificate. The celebrations continued at an authentic Australian restaurant in that evening.

Acknowledgement of thanks to Lisa, Matt, Kingsley, Cindy for organising my skydiving event - along with the skydiving team.

UPDATE2: ***Date changed*** Skydiving will now take place on Saturday 17 February at 3.30pm due to the weather prediction - expecting hot and sun.

(GMT: Friday 16th February at 4.30am)

NEWSFLASH: Just published in my local paper! http://tinyurl.com/yu9ykb

UPDATE1: Arrived safely in Melbourne on Tuesday 6 February after a long haul flight. Here is the photo of me in Melbourne! Skydiving in less than 2 weeks' time!

Hello and thanks for reading my site! A bit about myself: I am Deaf and use British Sign Language to communicate with. I have usher syndrome, a combination of deafness and eye disease called retinits piagmentosa so hence, I am visually impaired. I am a long outstanding member with pride of a vibrant and empowered Usher community (www.usherlife.co.uk) and London Deaf Chess Club.

I will be undertaking two challenging events:

- Tandem Skydiving in Victoria on 18 February 2007. Freefall at speed of 200km/h from 10,000 feet.

- Bridge Climb of Sydney Harbour Bridge on 24 February 2007. 3 and half hours' experience to reach the top (134 metres/415.4 feet above sea) and then back.

 

Please kindly sponsor me for SIGN, a charity that focuses on the mental health and deafness. Their mission is to encourage and empower Deaf people through advocacy, to lead them to participate independently in the hearing world. It focuses on the social model of deafness.  More information about SIGN: www.signcharity.org.uk.

 

Donating with any currencies through this site is simple and fast.  For UK residents: if you are a taxpayer, the UK Government will add an extra 28% to the amount being sponsored – at no extra cost to you. 

 

Why do I nominate SIGN as a charity?

SIGN support deaf people with behavioural and emotional problems through a range of services such as advocacy, outreach, supported living, day services, education and training, health promotion and campaigning.

Deaf people do unfortunately experience attitudinal barriers, such as discrimination, in addition to environmental barriers in the hearing society, especially those in employment and when in contact with employment services.  Consequently, preventable mental health difficulties might develop. In my previous employment, I faced the ‘glass ceiling’, which unfortunately prevented me from gaining full access to career prospects/development. The prospects for my promotion had been delayed in contrast with my hearing colleagues, despite my ability to multi tasks.  Furthermore, I faced social isolation within the workplace, due to the misconception of deafness (which regards deafness as just hearing and speech impairment).  My use of sign language and written English led to a lack of effort in the interaction of my colleagues with me.  This experience enabled me to empathise with Deaf people who still experience ongoing employment-related difficulties.  In order for Deaf people to participate fully in the employment and employment services, the attitudinal barriers needs to be removed.  This can be achieved through the advocacy for Deaf people and tailored-made deaf awareness trainings for colleagues working with Deaf people.

SIGN's reseearch findings about deaf people in the employment can be viewed on: http://www.reachingdeafminds.org.uk/consultations.htm#employment

Hence, please sponsor me!  The proceeds will go towards SIGN's projects and advocacy/outreach services in which they will enable Deaf people to lead an independent life of better quality in the hearing world. 

I hope to reach the target amount of £1,500, and out of this, the sum of £1,250 (being 83%) will go to SIGN charity and £250 (being 17%) will go to the event fees.  If the amount raised falls short of my £1,500 target, then I guarantee that 83% of the total will go to SIGN Charity and I will bear the cost of of the remainder of the £250 event fee myself.   

Many thanks for your support!

Desmond Masterson