Teen with cerebral palsy rappels down Winnipeg skyscraper in her wheelchair

Drop Zone event raises money for Easter Seals to support people with disabilities.

An 18-year-old Winnipegger with cerebral palsy fulfilled a dream Tuesday as she rappelled down the side of a skyscraper in a wheelchair decked out with hula skirts, flower leis and a few pool noodles.

Allie Onslow rappelled 80 metres in her wheelchair as part of the Drop Zone fundraiser for Easter Seals in Winnipeg on Tuesday. CBC

CBC News Manitoba August 22, 2017

Allie Onslow was one of the participants in this year’s Easter Seals Drop Zone fundraiser in Winnipeg. On Tuesday afternoon she was on top of Manitoba Hydro Place, where she rappelled more than 80 metres straight down to the ground.

“I am extremely proud. Allie did an amazing job. I think she really enjoyed herself,” said her mom, Wendy Onslow, after the event.

She said they’d dressed up her daughter’s chair a bit for the occasion and added pool noodles to cushion any blows to the building.

Allie was nervous before the event but after she had made it to the ground safely, she was all smiles and said she would do it again next year.

The teenager had dreamed of taking part in the Drop Zone fundraiser since she was a child and saw her mom rappel down a skyscraper.

Carl Seier and Allie Onslow one of their weekly training days. The two compete in Manitoba races as members of My Team Triumph.

The Winnipeg fundraiser was one of 10 Drop Zone events planned across the country this year. Money raised goes to the Easter Seals to support kids and adults with disabilities.

Drop Zone is one of our signature fundraising events in support of our programs and services for Albertans with disabilities. It involves a 28-storey rappel from the top of one of Calgary’s tallest downtown office towers. It’s fun and extremely exhilarating! Participants must raise a minimum of $1,100 to rappel. In 2017, the Drop Zone will take place on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 in Calgary.

More than 8,000 people have taken part in the fundraiser since it started in 2005, bringing in more than $15 million.

As of Monday evening, Allie and her partner, a board member from the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, had raised nearly $5,000.

The pair dubbed themselves Team Unstoppable. Allie chose two songs for her rappel: Fight Song by Rachel Platten and Roar by Katy Perry.

Source CBC News