Days in the life of...Daryl Beeton
Having trekked across 180-miles on Nicaragua jungle and climbed a 5500 foot active volcano, you can forgive Daryl Beeton, star of BBC’s ‘Beyond Boundaries’ documentary, for feeling a little tired - but we managed to catch a few minutes with him to talk about the unique journey involving a team of ten other disabled people.
Were you nervous before the trip and were there any points when you thought you’d struggle because of your spina bifida?
“I only found out I had got a place three weeks before I flew out to Nicaragua so it was all a bit rushed and I had no time for nerves. My main concern was being bitten by something scary below my knee because I have limited feeling from below the knee, so I wouldn’t know if I’d been bitten. Also, due to my walking style, I get pressure sores on my feet easily, so I was worried I would get one and have to be sent home - this is what happened to one of the guys in week two. I had some new insoles made for my feet and these seemed to keep my feet sore free.”
Has the trip inspired you in any way?
“The trip has had an influence on every aspect of my life, from realising my body is tougher than I used to give it credit for, to being thankful that I live in a place where I don’t need to dig a hole in the ground before I go to the toilet.”
What was the biggest high pointof the journey?
“Reaching the top of the volcano and looking out over where we’d travelled from. If you were feeling down you only had to turn a corner before you saw something so amazing. The country was a big high point too - the people, the scenery. Also going in the military plane and helicopter, it was something straight out of a James Bond film - a lot of the time I had to remind myself that this was really happening to me.”
And what was your lowest point on the journey?
“The volcano broke me on the way up it, I found it really tough and it was the one and only time I cried - I was feeling exhausted. When we got to the foot of the volcano I just burst into tears - it was all very emotional. We’d been trekking for over three weeks and it finally got too much for me. That’s why getting to the top of the volcano was so special – it was the first time I knew I could make it to the end.”
Have you done anything like this before?
“I’ve never done anything on this scale before, my experience has just been independent travelling around Europe, in fact I heard about the programme when I was in Budapest. I didn’t know if I’d be able to do it. I was concerned my body would let me down but I thought I’d never know unless I gave it a go.”
Are you planning to do anything like this again?
“I’m not planning anything on this scale but I would love to do something like this again. I’ve also been looking into volunteering overseas for a few months, that’s something I’d like to do.
“My day job is also keeping me busy right now. I am a theatre director and I’m progressing the play I produced ‘Moments in Motion’ to take on tour, I’m also hoping to create a new show for younger audiences. Having worked as associate director at Half Moon Young People’s Theatre company I saw how easily young people took to the notion of being different, so theatre for young audiences is a good place to help develop positive views of a mixed and equal society.”
If you’d like to find out more about the BBC Beyond Boundaries documentary and how you could take part, visit www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/tvradio/beyondboundaries