Big drop, big dollars

The idea of scaling the tallest office tower in Halifax may not seem to be a very traditional way to give back to the community. But four daring members from Dal’s School of Occupational Therapy did just that late last month.  

Second-year graduate students Erin Iles, Thane Borden and Eric Tremblay, along with office staff member Michelle Mahoney, rappelled down a 23-storey building located at 1801 Hollis Street in downtown Halifax.  

The team, who dubbed themselves “Humpty Dumpties,” were among 80 individuals who braved the heights on September 23 for “Drop Zone.” The event raised money and awareness for Easter Seals Nova Scotia, a non-profit group that supports individuals in the province living with physical and developmental disabilities.

“It is very important that we advocate for a barrier-free environment for all, and Easter Seals Nova Scotia does just that,” says Tremblay. He says the group’s efforts around mobility, inclusion and independence help ensure activities that many people take for granted as accessible to all.

For team member Mahoney, this non-profit is especially near and dear to her heart. She was born with a physical disability called arthrogryposis, in which muscles have not fully developed in various joints of the body.  

“I’ve personally benefitted from this organization by attending Camp Tidnish,” says Mahoney, referring to a barrier-free camp organized by Easter Seals NS that supports and engages individuals living with disabilities in fun and meaningful activities. Mahoney attended the camp for nine summers growing up.

“Nothing has ever stopped me…so I [was] sure there was a way I could figure out how to rappel [this year]…and I did it,” she says.

23 stories down

Taking part in the event was a way for Tremblay and the other OT students to illustrate just how important Easter Seals’ core values are to them as occupational therapists. And as Iles says, they were more than happy to raise money for the group in such a “fun, exhilarating way.”

This was the 12th consecutive year for the event, which also takes place in other cities across the country. Prior to partaking in the Drop, each participant or team commits to fundraising a particular amount of money.  This year, the Humpty Dumpties opted to fundraise as a team, raising a total of $5,120 for Easter Seals through both group and individual efforts.

Apart from asking family and friends directly for donations through social media and word of mouth, together the group also decided to reach out to their peers in the School of Occupational Therapy by appealing to their love of morning coffee.  Over the span of one and a half weeks, the Humpty Dumpties provided freshly brewed dollar coffee for their classmates in Dal’s Forrest Building and raised, on average, $70 each day for the cause.

“We were able to spread awareness because a lot of people did not know what Easter Seals is about and we also got to raise money for a good cause,” says Borden. “A big thank you to all the people who helped sponsor [and support] us… like Lawtons or the Dean of the Faculty of Health Professions and Occupational Therapy students.”

Relaying down to the ground from 23 storeys up in the air was not an easy task for some participants, including Iles.

“The first part for me was the hardest because just letting go, survival instincts kick in,” she says, reflecting on her experience. “I am scared of heights but now I am really proud of myself for doing it. I faced my fear and it was fun.”

Nerves aside, it seemed to be a rewarding challenge for the Humpty Dumpties, who all said they would do it again. “In a heartbeat,” says Mahoney.