Paul Pritchard and five others aim to be the first all-abilities team to walk the 237km spine of Tortja/West MacDonnell Ranges on the Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory.
WALK TO TEST THE LIMITS By filming it, hopefully, someone who looks like us might realise that they're not alone and they can have a go because I think that matters
PAUL Pritchard continues to test the limits of human endurance. The celebrated adventurer and disability educator has his sights set on a 237km walk along the demanding Larapinta Trail in the NT. with his team of six people hoping to become the first all-abilities group to tackle the entire spine of the Tjoritja/ West MacDonnell Ranges.
Left with hemiplegia following a terrible rockfall while climbing the Totem Pole off the Tasman Peninsula, Mr Pritchard has joined forces with Disability Voices Tasmania and the Brain Injury Association of Tasmania to produce a documentary and podcast series during the journey.
"I think it will be very impactful - we are planning to focus on how disabled people are not
unable," he said. "We're not saying "hey look at us, we're special!" because that would be a disservice to people with disabilities whose skills may lie in areas other than the physical.
"But by filming it, hopefully, someone who looks like us might realise that they're not alone and they can have a go because I think that matters."
Mr Pritchard said the team, which includes Tasmanian furniture designer Paul Allen, also wanted to address the state's 71 per cent underemployment rate for people with disabilities. The adventurers are close to reaching their fundraising goal to cover the costs of their filming equipment. The team will begin the three-week trek on July 5. Go to: www.pozible.com/profile/larapinta-adaptive
