M Upton-Jubber
Harley Salter 'X Missions Possible' Fundraiser, & Decades Live Gig Night
Fundraising for Enable Ability
Story
Fundraiser challenger, in aid of, 'Enable Ability' (10% of total donations, to 'The Rowans Hospice', in memory of Tim Sheppard, one of Harley’s support workers from Enable Ability’s, 'Hampshire Youth Project', who passed away earlier this year).
10 (X) “Missions Possible” challenges to be completed by Harley, in the spirit of, 'X Men', with at least one of his challenges, the Spinnaker Tower abseil, being done in the guise of Hank McCoy/The Beast. Harley's 'X Men' character of choice, is; 'The Beast'.
I iDrop British Airways i360 abseil, Brighton
II Emirates Spinnaker Tower abseil, Portsmouth
III Emirates Spinnaker Tower The Drop, Portsmouth
IIII Emirates Spinnaker Tower Altitude, Portsmouth
V Velocity 2 Zip Wire, Wales
VI iFly Indoor skydiving, Basingstoke
VII Assault Course Fort Purbrook, Portsmouth
VIII Up at the O2, London
IX ArcelorMittal Orbit abseil, London
X Walk A Mile In My Shoes, Southsea
On the 18.06.19, 'Decades Live UK', charity gig night performance evening, of celebrated music at 'The Gaiety Bar', South Parade Pier, Southsea. With auction of very brave 'Harley Salter's', art works and a locally donated raffle.
Tickets available for purchase here;
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/decades-live-charity-gig-night-for-enable-ability-tickets-58281668038
Day to day Harley requires a high level of support to function and go about his daily activities and while the aim is for him to do his challenges as independently as possible there are a few that will only be possible if he has direct support. Therefore, he will be directly accompanied to complete some of his challenges by his mother, Vanessa, and sister, Lily. Please sponsor Harley to complete his 'X Missions Possible' challenges, to raise money for Enable Ability.
Like the 'X Men', Harley has differences. Society calls these differences “disabilities” and many of them are identified as “hidden disabilities” because they are not immediately obvious, just like the differences shared by the 'X Men'. Society chooses to give Harley many labels including autism, anxiety, OCD, Tourette’s syndrome, psychosocial adversity, sensory impairments, hypermobility, talipes (club foot), Symes amputee and a few more less desirable from people who simply do not understand disability. But, the most defining label he has is his moniker, Harley James Salter.
Day to day these differences can present themselves in a variety of ways and situations, suddenly and often unpredictably, becoming very visible. The unexpected presentation of these can be alarming for people who have assumed that Harley is just like everyone else. Difference is scary to some people. Sometimes this can create problems with Harley being accepted by society. People can become less tolerant, guarded and very quickly barriers to acceptance are raised. Just like the 'X Men' characters, Harley needs society to accept him for who he is. This applies to all people with disabilities but particularly those with hidden disabilities. Harley does have the visible disability of being an amputee (in July 2018, Harley had his right foot amputated) but when wearing his prosthesis, unless people look closely even this aspect of his many differences can be overlooked.
People do not always understand that Harley, despite his differences, has the ability to do many things if given the opportunity and support. In fact, he can do amazing things if people accept him for who he is and open doors for him. He proved this last year by abseiling the 'Spinnaker Tower' in Portsmouth in the guise of 'The Amazing Spiderman'. Harley needs acceptance for his differences as do all disabled children and adults. He can do many things, he can make a meaningful and valuable contribution to society, he just does things in a different way to other people and needs society to help and support him.