Oh boy! It's another wonderful start to the day, cool morning air with a nice breeze — what am I doing sitting at the computer?

Actually, this defines a struggle for me, the call of the outdoors versus the work that must be done within the walls of civilization — and civilization often wins! It's a problem and a struggle for me because my heart lies out there but I've committed myself to many projects that require significant time. In this space, as regularly as I can, I'll talk about how I find things when I do make it outside and I'll also hope to give you, my readers, some ideas of things to do that will take you out, if not physically and immediately, maybe sometime soon, to the venue where our race spent a majority of time until "civilization" took over. Sometimes I'll reflect and sometimes I'll be just plain enthusiastic because the outdoors makes my life hum and I'd love to share the tune!

Many ideas for outdoor activities come up against a hard place when people with disabilities want to join in. Once, when I expressed to an enthusiastic group of club members that I'd join a rafting trip with them — the trip was mysteriously cancelled. After my declaration to join, all talk of the trip evaporated. I believe it was their loss, and hope they got to go rafting some other time without having to be worried sick about some poor blind soul coming along….

Interestingly enough, it seems that we must revolve in our own "disability bubble" if we want to participate in organized outdoor activities. "Special" and "accommodating" issues seem to worry outfitters, patrons, and the disabled persons themselves. "Just do it," doesn't often pass for reality when people with disabilities get involved.

So? What to do?

Get a foothold on your own outdoor life, over all objections, by "just doing it!" Open the door, smell the air, plan a few trips, take some time each week to enjoy! But be careful, some of the planners know less about what they're doing — so you better plan for you!

Remember the amateur shipbuilders who wanted to create sailing adventures for disabled people? Living down East, driven by prayer and desire, they built a sailing vessel that has often made headlines — but I'm glad I haven't sailed on it!
Associated Press relates;

"RawFaith damaged in gale – again
Published : 2006-05-12
ROCKLAND (AP) - A tall ship built to accommodate people with disabilities was severely damaged in a gale just hours after departing from Jonesport on a voyage to New Jersey."

Ah well, I didn't want to go to New Jersey anyway! There are, however, some well planned outings if you want to do something organized. Maybe you would enjoy some time in the Maine outdoors? I'll leave you with a message from a Maine group, And with that, I'll finish my column for today, and hope you soon will visit The Other Side of The Door for yourself.

NEWRY – Maine Handicapped Skiing, the state's largest year-round adaptive recreation program for adults and children with physical disabilities, is offering a full season of summer adaptive activities, including lessons in kayaking, canoeing, golf and cycling at various locations, all free.

Those who have a physical disability or know someone who does should check out Maine Handicapped Skiing's summer roster of activities: cycling at Back Bay on Marginal Way, Portland; canoing and kayaking at Range Ponds State Park, Poland; river trips on the Androscoggin; and golf at Toddy Brook Golf Course, Yarmouth.

Maine Handicapped Skiing is a volunteer–based organization, 370–plus strong, that provides adaptive sports activities to children and adults with physical disabilities so they can have a fun experience while learning new skills that will carry over into their everyday lives.

For more information, call 800–639–7770; write MHS at 8 Sundance Lane, Newry, ME 04261; or e–mail info@skimhs.org .