I spent the morning watching Michael climb the walls. Literally. He was a good sport about getting up early to get to the Adaptive Climbing Clinic put on by Catalyst Sports.
A lot of folks with limb differences think sports are out for them, but that's not true. With a little extra help, they can do sports, even rigorous ones limb climbing, in a lot of cases. I really like the mission statement for Catalyst:
"The Vision for catalyst sports is to be an agent that provokes a significant change or action in the lives of those in the disabled community. We look to discover ways to get those involved that are otherwise turned away … not interested ……in the mainstream sports that most cities offer. We look to provide very unique recreational opportunities that are otherwise difficult to participate in as someone with a disability and to open up their eyes to see all of the possibilites. We also look to connect the young with the old, the new with the experienced, and the strong with the weak in order to build each other up and enjoy the community that we live in together. And in all that we do here at Catalyst sports we do together so that we might glorify God."
Michael had some trepidation about climbing and we knew the Stone Summit Rock Climbing facility is pretty pricey. It's 5 minutes from our house, though, so I was excited to see that Catalyst was offering the free clinic.
Catalyst is a 5013C charity and you can donate here.
There were a lot of folks there, and Mike ran into some of the same folks who help out with his Adventure Amputee Camp in the summer. They also had free gifts, and a cute tee shirt, refreshments, etc.
Below are some photos. Mike is not in the one directly below but it gives you an idea of the size of the place.Picture a facility twice as big as what you see in this photo:
Mike tried a smaller wall at first:
Then he went for one of the bigger walls downstairs:
Too bad he lost his head on the way up...
just kidding.
One of the instructors called Michael "a natural climber" and was very complimentary.
Michael met a young man with his exact same limb difference who likes to climb and has been doing it for a while.
Seriously, these folks put on an excellent event, and we are so delighted to have been able to participate.
