Inclusive sporting event held at Cobram’s Federation Park

By Gabriel Garcia

Apr 16, 2024

Proud: Drop in and Take Off president Al Taylor with Dwyane Wittingslow who has cerebral palsy. Mr Wittingslow was able to ride a skateboard using to a riding frame designed by Mr Taylor and the Wodonga community. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

People with a disability can sometimes feel excluded.

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However, the 2024 Move Moira Get Active in April event saw a sporting organisation attend with a mission to make a difference to those living with disability.

Drop in and Take Off is a not-for-profit organisation based in Wodonga, committed to giving individuals with severe disabilities the opportunity to experience skateboarding.

In pursuit of this goal, the organisation has built an all-abilities freedom frame enabling individuals of all abilities to discover the excitement of life on wheels.

Organisation president Al Taylor said he was inspired by a woman he knew who had a mobility disability and came to the local indoor skate park he owns in Wodonga.

“She has cerebral palsy and was unable to skate unassisted,” Mr Taylor said.

Prompted by a suggestion by his wife, Mr Taylor and the community built the all-abilities freedom frame to allow the client to enjoy skating.

“We wanted them (those with a disability) to enjoy skateboarding with able-bodied participants at the same time,” Mr Taylor said.

The frame is unique (though two are currently being built), and Mr Taylor said he hoped more could be built and then delivered around Australia.

Asked how it felt to watch those with disabilities ride a skateboard for the first time, Mr Taylor said nothing compared.

“It’s probably the best part of my job,” he said.

“You get to experience as people do something that they probably never thought that they were able to do.”

This sentiment was felt by local man Dwyane Wittingslow. He has cerebral palsy and was able to use the frame to ride a skateboard for the first time.

Mr Wittingslow said skateboarding felt great.

Riding high: Dwyane Wittingslow rides a skateboard with the assistance of Drop in and Take Off president Al Taylor. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

Move Moira Get Active in April saw participants of all ages attend the free event at Federation Park in Cobram.

Though skateboarding and scooter riding were the most popular activities, the event also included soccer, martial arts and NCN’s popular smoothie bike.