Crip on a Trip

It's a rite of passage for young people, but can a wheelchair-bound boy cope with all that a cross-European summer trip throws at him? When Dominic Hyams was born with Brittle Bones (a genetic defect that affects the structure of the bones), he was given 48 hours to live. Eighteen years later, he plans to go inter-railing with six able-bodied mates for a month.

Crip on a Trip is an intimate observation of disabililty, capturing not only how 'Little Dom' copes, but following how his friends get on caring for their mate – literally washing, carrying him and taking him to the toilet every day, as well as doing all the other things teenagers get up to when they are away from home. At the end of the trip Dom and his mates will go their separate ways either into the world of work or off to college – but first, there's the trip of a lifetime to be had.

Produced for Channel 4 by Twofour Broadcast.

Thank yous
Dom and his family would like to use this opportunity to thank all those who have been so incredibly supportive since his birth – friends, family, all those who know him, Fleetville JM and Beaumont Schools, so many wonderful charities including the Brittle Bone Society, Whizz Kidz, Action for Kids, who have all helped to fund his very expensive powered wheelchairs over the years. Dom was unable to use his powered chair in Europe for practical reasons (ie access, etc.) and so was reliant on his manual chair and his friends to push for his mobility. His powered chair gives him incredible independence and has enabled him to live an extraordinarily independent life (aside from the personal care he needs)... Dom wants to say a final special 'thank you' (echoed by his parents) to his incredible friends; to those in the film, without whom their fantastic trip would not have been possible, and to those who stayed behind.

Below is a summary of the organisations that have helped Dom with funding his wheelchairs.

The Brittle Bone Society have been immensely supportive since Dom's birth, providing advice, equipment and specialist help in the form of his Occupational Therapist, Alison Wisbeach, whose support has been invaluable. Despite the present difficult financial climate, the society was able to contribute £5,000 towards the cost of Dom's present powered wheelchair.

Whizz-Kidz funded Dominic's second powered chair (about £12,000) when Dom was 12. He had grown out of his first privately funded wheelchair which Dom had been able to get with an immense amount of local support. Whizz-Kidz are concerned with funding specialist mobility equipment for children with disabilities.

Action for Kids provided over half of the £13,000 (approx) needed for Dominic's present wheelchair, which he has had since he was 16. They are concerned with funding mobility equipment, and giving support and advice to disabled children and their families.

The Variety Club has funded two of Dominic's custom-made manual wheelchairs over the years. They provide equipment for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children.

The NHS Wheelchair Service has provided two of Dominic's custom-made manual wheelchairs. They supply and maintain mobility equipment for disabled people, and offer a voucher scheme for more specialised/expensive wheelchairs.