'Inspirational' sports fan meets Ski Sunday presenter at disability ski session

Avid snow sports fan David Richardson who hadn’t skied for over 14 years had the wish of his life come true when he met Ski Sunday presenter, Olympic commentator and ex-professional snowboarder Ed Leigh during a disability-adapted skiing session.

Mr Richardson, 49, from Stansted Mountfitchet was told by his CareGivers at Right at Home (Bishop's Stortford & Braintree) they had arranged for him to attend a bi-skiing session at his local indoor snow centre where he would be guided down the slopes using adapted skis designed for people with limited or no use of their legs.

But after a few trips down the slopes, Mr Richardson was amazed to be met by Ed Leigh himself, who took a break from commentating on the Winter Paralympics and flew in from Sweden to join him for his once-in-a-lifetime session.

Mr Richardson said: “I've no words to describe how happy I am to have shared this with him. I love skiing because it makes me feel free. Going down a slope, my body isn’t getting in the way of me doing what I want to do.

“I’ve loved watching Ed Leigh’s reporting ever since I saw him interview a girl with autism. He was the first sports presenter I watched interview someone living with a disability and treat it as secondary to who they really were as a person.”

’I’m honoured David could have had any wish and he asked to meet me’

The day was arranged as part of Right at Home UK’s tin-full of wishes campaign, which encourages CareGivers to nominate home care clients who deserve to have a once-in-a-lifetime wish granted.

Ed Leigh, Olympic commentator, and ex-professional snowboarder said: “It’s incredibly humbling to be called someone’s hero. I’m honoured David could have had any wish and he asked to meet me.

“I have many career highlights, but this experience is unforgettable. When I was asked to do this, there was no way I couldn’t come to meet him – how could anyone pass up the opportunity to make someone’s dream come true?

“Probably the most inspirational thing about David is that he refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer! We can all learn a lot from David.”

Mr Richardson was nominated by his CareGiver who wanted to recognise his positive outlook and determination to continue his hobbies of skiing, rock climbing and swimming despite the physical challenges he faces making him an inspiration for his care workers.

A whole community came together to make Mr Richardson's wish come true. Instructors Peter Thorpe and James Merrey, from Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) delivered the bi-skiing session and brought the specially adapted equipment with them. The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead also donated the use of their slopes and lift passes for the special day.

'The whole experience made me feel like me, just me without a disability'

Liza Bolden, registered manager at Right at Home Bishop’s Stortford and Braintree said: “All of us at Right at Home are proud to be part of such a rewarding campaign. We’re grateful to everyone who came together to help make David’s wish come true, from our National Office Right at Home UK, who organised the surprise, the CareGivers who nominated him, and of course Ed Leigh, Disability Snowsport UK and the Snow Centre.

“We’re even prouder to be a part of David’s journey. Every CareGiver who works with him is inspired by his ambition to achieve each and every one of his dreams.

"David does absolutely everything he puts his mind to, and he has taught me that there is nothing we can’t do if we just believe we can. We are so proud of him for always wanting to do more and we are delighted to have played a part in making his dream come true.”

Mr Richardson added: “The whole experience made me feel like me, just me without a disability, so I would like to thank everyone who made my wish come true.”

His wish is the third to be granted as part of Right at Home’s 10-Year Anniversary campaign – nicknamed a ‘tin-full of wishes’ for the traditional anniversary gift – to celebrate a decade of making a difference to their clients’ lives by awarding 10 wishes to 10 lucky clients in 2022.

click here for more details or to contact Right at Home UK