Dilip Sapkota, 36, and Shishir Dahal, 25, have emphasized the need for disability-friendly adventure tourism in Nepal.
What you should know
Breaking the stereotype that only those with normal bodies can participate in adventure sports, two young people with disabilities have performed bungee jumping in wheelchairs for the first time in the district.
Dilip Sapkota, 36, of Chautara, Sangachokgadhi Municipality, Sindhupalchowk, and Shishir Dahal, 25, of Sindhuli, did bungee jumping while sitting in a wheelchair on Wednesday. Sapkota and Dahal experienced 'conquering death' in the adventure 'Bungee' held on the new bridge, which is considered the third natural adventure sport in Asia.
They did bungee jumping at an altitude of 160 meters between Marming and Listikot in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality. Sapkota, who has been living with a condition of being unable to move from the neck down due to 'transverse militis' for 13 years, has previously done difficult activities such as paragliding, non-wheelchair swing, non-wheelchair bungee and zipline while sitting in a wheelchair.
'My aim is not just to show personal courage, but to develop accessible tourism in Nepal,' says Sapkota, 'I want to send a message that people with disabilities like us should also have equal participation in hiking, trekking and adventure activities.' Sapkota currently works on social media from expression production to graphic designing.
Dahal, on the other hand, was in a motorcycle accident 4 years ago. He is from Sindhuli, Kamalamai-9, who is paralyzed. He is currently active in agricultural enterprises and nursery business. 'I wanted to show that life does not stop after disability,' says Dahal, 'The road built by Dilip Dai gave me more self-confidence.'
Demand for 'accessible tourism'
Both of them jumped on a bungee platform with special safety modifications. They said that their participation has made the need for disability-friendly adventure tourism in Nepal even clearer.
Sapkota says, 'Our experience will be an inspiration for many other wheelchair users. Nepal must now develop a system to make adventure sports available to everyone,' Dahal added, 'With preparation, coordination, and safe management, there is nothing wrong with having a disability. If society and the structure can provide opportunities, we are equally capable.'
