5am in the morning. 5,900 feet in the air.
Michelle had long wanted to rise with the sun in a hot air balloon. “For me, it was a bucket list thing. I wanted to do it and I couldn't believe it when my support worker Annette said, ‘that's something I’d love to do as well.’”
One summer morning this year, the pair made their way from their Hunter Valley motel to the hot air balloon launching ground for their safety debrief.
“They show you what they do. They lay out the balloon and everything else, and they start blowing it up. And it's just an amazing sight watching it,” Michelle says.
When the time came to pile into the basket, Michelle was first.
“The worst part was climbing into the basket, because I was the first person climbing in, all I could think of was, ‘does my bum look big in this?’”
As they travelled, other balloons floated alongside.
“One [balloon] that we could see further away was a big red balloon, which turned into a heart. And then over the radio [someone announced], ‘she said yes’. How cute is that?”
“When [we] came down, we actually got to walk inside the balloon. It was bizarre, because I thought as soon as the flame went out...the balloon would just flatten.”
“Because my balance and everything is getting a bit crappy now, you start getting nervous going out on your own. I'm a little bit stubborn, I guess, and don't want to start using a walker. I'm 57, I don't want to start that yet.
“And if you don't use it, you lose. That’s my way of thinking. So [I] keep on keeping on.”
Quick tip:
Going on a holiday with a Hireup support worker is exciting! It’s important to get clear on the details before you go. For example, what you’re both comfortable paying for, expectations around the hours and type of support being provided, free time, and any other expectations you both have of each other. Remember, Hireup is here to help, so contact us if you have any questions about holidaying with your support workers.
