Freizeit-PSO is an organization in Schladming that organizes adventure sports and vacations for the mentally and physically disabled. The adventure program includes handicapped-accessible vacations, hiking, climbing, diving, and rafting.
This initiative has got the support by the tourist departments of Schladming-Rohrmoos and Schladming-Dachstein. Freizeit-PSO stands for "Freizeit Para-Special-Outdoorsports" is teaching how physically and mentally-challenged people can also enjoy and a vacation full of adventure sports.
For many people with disabilities the biggest hurdle is finding ways to enjoy their vacations, but some people overcome this.
German Falko Nettekoven suffers from multiple sclerosis and can only walk 100 meters but his courage and willpower gave him the strength. He has just managed to successfully complete a Via Ferrata climb in the Dachstein Mountains.
"I simply want to redefine my limits," the 59-year-old Cologne native said. "Despite my illness, I can still accomplish many things. I am unbelievably happy and proud to have experienced such an adventure in nature."
The "Via Ferrata" (Italian for "iron way") is a mountain route equipped with steel cables, ladders, and other fixed anchors like walkways and suspended bridges. These help even the inexperienced climber to hike on ledges, climb vertical walls, and reach the peaks of mountains.
Freizeit-PSO is taking steps with the support of the local tourist offices to make the destination accessible to handicapped people. These initiatives are promoting Schladming into a flagship destination.
The organizers believe that "There's no such word as 'impossible'", and people with disabilities can experience exciting rafting tours, rock-climbing, high-ropes courses, hiking, diving, and horseback riding during their accessible vacation with Freizeit-PSO.
Freizeit-PSO provides a team of highly skillful and experienced mountaineers, guides and specially designed equipments for the handicaps makers to make sure that their experience with the organization will not cause any trouble to them.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
