By Lynne Parsons 

I got a phone call over the Christmas break from Christine.  She had told me she was going for a blast on a huge jet ski with Sue, one of the maxi taxi drivers that transports our clients to and from the Beacon. 

At the time I looked at her in amazement.  "How are you going to get from your wheelchair onto the jet ski?"  "A few burly men", came her reply.  "Promise me you will ring me", I said.  "I have got to see this". 

So here I was on the beach, camera in hand, on a beautiful Hawke's Bay summer's day.

Christine's face was alight with excitement and with a life jacket on she was lifted by the 'burly men' onto the jet ski.  With Sue behind her and Sue's husband driving they were off. 

With sheets of spray flying out behind them she went shooting out to sea and became a speeding dot on the horizon. 

One hour later a very wet and laughing Christine came back.  "I'm knackered" she laughed.  "That was the most fantastic thing I've done in years.  What shall I do next".

With that attitude, just about anything I think.