Finding hope in the outdoors
MS Get a Head Start is delighted to collaborate with Mastering Mountains Charitable Trust, which has been supporting people with neurological disorders to find hope outdoors since 2015. Gilly Davy, Founder of MS Get a Head Start, says that it is Mastering Mountains' vision of hope and drive to enrich the lives of those living with neurological conditions that affirmed her desire to team up with this worthy cause. Below is an overview of what they're all about.
Vision of Hope
A life of adventure in the outdoors can feel far from reach for many people living with neurological conditions. Mastering Mountains was established to help these everyday people get outdoors and experience hope by supporting them to achieve an outdoor adventure that is meaningful to them.
E tūtakitaki ana ngā kapua o te rangi, kei runga te Māngrōa e kopae pū ana.
Though clouds may block the sky, the Milky Way is still behind it. Even the longest road has a turning, even the longest night has a morning. – Māori whakataukī
This whakataukī affirms that hope, like the wonder of the Milky Way, can always be found. Mastering Mountains’ purpose is to help people see beyond the clouds or the darkness and gain inspiration for their journey as they master whatever mountain they face.
Their Approach
Getting outdoors is central to Mastering Mountains’ approach. The trust was founded on the belief that outdoor adventure uniquely and powerfully fosters hope. Outdoor adventures take people into nature, offering numerous benefits, and connect them with others in ways few activities can. More significantly, however, adventures help people set inspiring goals: goals that will carry them through the challenges of rehabilitation.
However, it can be difficult to get outdoors with a neurological disorder. To address this challenge, Mastering Mountains provides rehabilitation support, peer groups, and mentoring to individuals diagnosed with MS, Functional Neurological Disorder, or similar neurological conditions. The mentoring and peer groups focus on helping participants find a way through the obstacles they face by enabling them to develop the tools and strategies they need to manage their conditions and thrive in the long term.
Click the links to read more about their programmes, as well as their programme outcomes.
Their People
The team at Mastering Mountains has worked with ordinary people and helped them achieve inspirational adventures since 2015. Learn more about the remarkable stories and journeys of their programme participants.
MS Get a Head Start collaboration
MS Get a Head Start is delighted to collaborate with Mastering Mountains to offer hope to people living with Multiple Sclerosis by providing access to its online courses. Combining progressive interval workouts with practical education, our MS GHS courses empower people with MS to safely and effectively harness the power of exercise to change their MS journey.
Gilly Davy, founder of MS Get a Head Start says "It's about time those living with MS were provided with some HOPE. Evidence shows that exercise does not only help function, it is disease modifying for Multiple Sclerosis. By supporting people to exercise safely and effectively, we're empowering them to get out and do the things that are meaningful for them."
