Sarah Wilson, New Zealand
Have you ever had to rely on someone when it mattered? REALLY? On the 9th November 2011 at 9:01pm I needed help. I was on New Zealand’s highest mountain in a storm. As if that was not bad enough, I?d been caught in an avalanche and was buried under a metre of thick snow. I could not even move my hand to protect my face as the snow set like concrete. I took my last breath. My only hope was my climbing partner. Had she also been buried? I didn’t know. Never before have I been so reliant on someone else. And honestly, even though I know my Supporter profile well, I’ve been good at talking about team but the reality is I often think “I can do it better myself”. Sound familiar? This time there was no way out. I HAD to rely on someone else. When her hand scooped the snow from my face I sucked in a huge breath of life-giving air. To say it was a relief does not even cut it. It was life changing. Since then I’ve been working WITH powerful teams (rather than despite them!). A few weeks ago we cycled 700km to raise over $17,000 to support the Hikurangi Foundation and smarter transport in NZ. The lessons 2 big ones so far. Firstly, learn to rely on others before your life depends on it! Whatever your profile (and especially us Supporters ? ) we need each other to find our flow. And also, when it comes down to it, life is more about giving than getting.
