News Archive

News

Share  Tweet Monday 30th April 2018

Meet Nath Fernandes, South West Orienteering Association Website Designer

Jennie Taylor Communications Officer caught up with Nath Fernandes Website Designer for the South West Orienteering Association. 

Read Nath's story:

"My name is Nath Fernandes, 25 and living in Bristol. Having quite severe Cerebral Palsy which affects my limbs certainly did not deter me nor my parents from becoming orienteers a mere 20 years ago; I remember navigating either the White or Yellow course with their help primarily to stay on course! The question that you are probably wondering at this point is how did I participate with a disability? The answer lay in a three-wheel off-road contraption akin to a buggy when I say that it could roll across any terrain come rain or shine, I mean it! I’m a little unsure where I ranked but it’s the taking part that counts.

It was around 15 years ago that I heard about Trail-O with the draw being that the courses are completely wheelchair accessible and the actual action i.e. the process of choosing the correct control happening mentally rather than physically. As soon as I knew it, I was Junior Champion 2 years on the trot!

Orienteering took a back seat as I grew up into a teenager, the usual teenage traits i.e. hanging out with friends and late mornings took president. It was also at this point that my friends were getting a part-time job, how was I going to do this with a disability, I needed something in my life that generated a little cash. I always had a keen interest in designing websites (mainly for personal use) hence an epiphany moment soon dawned, what if I monetise this skill and begin creating websites for companies and organisations? Funnily enough, one of VEU Designs first clients was the local orienteering club which then stemmed into creating the JK 2010 and subsequently the SWOA website."

Nath Fernandes

"As I briefly mentioned, my Cerebral Palsy means that I’m limited to what I can achieve with my limbs i.e. the inability to walk without assistance or even use a conventional computer mouse. My parents have brought me up to believe that anything is possible if I put my mind to it. This belief spurred me to be creative in the way that I utilise a computer. I use my lower limbs i.e. knees to operate a joystick whilst on the floor accompanied by a giant ‘left click’ button.

Over the past few months, I decided to revive my interest in orienteering, especially as Street-O events seem to be on the increase but the question was how would I compete alone? Aside from new technology such as the SI ActiveCard allowing me to wirelessly ‘punch’ a control, myself and my parents put our heads together with the outcome of clipping a map reader designed for a bike handlebar onto my wheelchair and tie wrapping a compass onto the armrest. When an ActiveCard is unavailable and it’s a case of writing down letters or numbers, I communicate the answer to my Personal Assistant (who stands at the start/finish) over the phone via a Bluetooth car speaker, again, tie wrapped to my wheelchair."

To read more about Nath's story visit:  http://veucan.co.uk/about/

 

British Orienteering would like to take this opportunity to thank Nath for sparing the time to tell his inspirational story. 
We wish you every success with your website work and of course your orienteering. 

Top