Common Ground (Removing Barriers for People with Disabilities)

The sun had yet to surface over the mountains on Oct. 10, when I met Josh Anderson at Common Ground Outdoor Adventures. I wasn’t sure what awaited me over the next four days, but it was to be a trip I would never forget. Common Ground, located at 335 N. 100 East in Logan is a nonprofit organization that specializes in outdoor adventures for people with disabilities. Anderson, a certified river guide and former president of the USU Kayak Club, was to lead a group of 19 down the San Juan River in Southern Utah. Along as a volunteer, all I was told was to be prepared. We arrived at Sand Island Campground in Bluff, Utah, which was the site of our launch and setup camp. The 11 participants, eight volunteers and staff worked together to ready the rafts for the next morning, and dinner was prepared. It was instantly apparent to me that planning played a huge role in the trips Common Ground conduct, which, in addition to rafting, includes bicycling trips for the blind and snow skiing for individuals confined to wheelchairs. Over the course of the trip, emotions ran high. People laughed, and people cried. Toys were lost, rocks were skipped and friends were made. The personalities I encountered were enormous. Disabilities varied in type and severity, but two things were consistent: The participants enjoyed themselves immensely, and the staff cared deeply. I spent our time on the river getting to know some very special people. Larry, in his late 60s, loved playing cowboys and bandits and kept guard over camp with his trusty cap gun. Jamal, a spirited eighth-grader, always seemed to be covered in mud and grinning. Eric loved pancakes and doing laundry. He got pancakes on the trip, but laundry had to wait until he returned home. Stephanie greeted everyone who passed with a friendly “hello,” no matter how frequently they walked by her. Wally is the hymnal coordinator at his church who said he is proud to hold such an important job. The staff of Common Ground was incredible, allowing everyone to be as self-sufficient as their disabilities allowed, while constantly being ready night and day if their help was needed. Our adventure passed without incident, and on Oct. 14, we loaded up the vans for the return drive to Logan. “Home,” Eric said. “No Eric, we’re going to Las Vegas,” Jamal replied, chuckling. Rubbing his face, his personal signal for home, Eric repeated, “Home.” Jamal laughed, and Eric remained stoic. There was no time for a jaunt to Vegas – there was laundry to do.