5 Minutes With… CeCe & Vicky
All The Elements community members and disability campaigners Vicky and CeCe Balfour are a mum and daughter team tackling disability representation in cycling and beyond. Here’s a 5 minute introduction to their work…
Image Credit Emmie Collinge
CeCe, Vicky, Can you start by telling us in one sentence about you and what you’re passionate about?
Sharing the joy of being outdoors and demonstrating that everyone is welcome outdoors.
What does that look like in practice?
CeCe and I like to share our activities outdoors and show that people with Learning Disabilities have a place in the outdoors.
We want to show that it's not just about how far or how fast you can go, but that celebrating simply being outside and trying is important too.
It makes us happy and we enjoy sharing our time outside with family and friends.
Why do you do it?
Because it makes us happy :)
Image Credit Emmie Collinge
Where do you feel most connected to the outdoors and why?
CeCe loves being in the Lake District with friends Pip, Alix, Clare and Jenny, Jenny and Kirsty. (Look out for Clare & Pip’s Zine to hear more about their work!)
We love cycling, sea swimming, and SUP-boarding and have recently tried and loved caving, canoeing and climbing.
“Try your very best and be kind to yourself.”
How has the all the elements community supported you with your work?
CeCe and I met Pip and Clare!
We had never met other people who shared our interests and outlooks in quite the same way.
We love how welcoming and supportive All The Elements is.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about the work you do?
How much courage it takes for CeCe to try new things and how determined she is not to give into her fears.
When we tried climbing she was in floods of tears at the thought of her fear of heights, but she was the first to put her hand up to try it. Over the day she came back, little and often to try. Each time she went a little bit further or with a bit more confidence and fluidity. Fabulous!
Image Credit Abbie Merritt
Where can people find and follow your work?
Via @vickybikes on Instagram and vickybikes.co.uk
