About Puffin Magic Foundation

James became a quadriplegic as a result of an accident in Zambia while travelling around Africa. Waiting to go Tiger fishing on the mighty Zambezi River on a terribly hot day, James merely fainted whilst sitting on a stool, falling backward onto hard sand. The result of this seemingly innocuous occurrence was catastrophic. The impact of the fall severely bruised his spinal cord and broke his C4 and C5 vertebrae, leaving James with voluntary movement only from his shoulders up. Due to the remoteness and inaccessibility of the location, it was 30 hours before James reached fully qualified medical care. This delay worsened his condition by causing fluid to collect in his lungs, leading to respiratory complications. The Puffin Magic Foundation was established soon after James' return to Australia in 2008. Its aim is to harness the personal efforts and financial contributions of the various groups of people who have expressed a desire to provide support to James in a way which will maximize the amount of support that can ultimately be delivered to James. The Management Committee now comprises William Robert (Bob) Allen, Graeme Keith Day, John Charles King and Bradley Richard Wheaton.

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My photograph was taken a few days ago. OK a few months ago. OK many  years ago. The original blog was about a trip across the USA from coast-to-coast in July and August 2012 to give support and raise money for James Gribble with his Puffinmagic Foundation in Australia. The  original trip covered over 5,000 miles and lasted 16 days. Four Australians including my son made the journey from Los Angeles to New York city..

Over the years other events that friends held for James have been a canoe trip down the Murray, climbing mountains and swimming the English Channel. The trip across America was fun and used very little effort or had any real danger or self sacrifice. Since then the mascot, Peter Puffin, has been to Nova Scotia, Nashville, New Mexico the Ozarks and all points in between.  James Gribble in 2014 closed Puffin Magic and started Empower Golf Australia. It is the only nationally operating disability golf organization supporting Australians of all abilities.

The benefits of Empower golf to enhance positive psychological, social and physical benefits of golf for people with disabilities, increase participation, raise awareness of disabled sport, play a critical role in changing community perceptions of people with disabilities and provide inclusive equipment, services, facilities and advocacy. Ames and his organisation is all over Australia with clinics and special teaching pros but the social aspect is probably the most import to get players out and socializing.