We are a new club with the aim of enabling people with all disabilities to have the confidence to climb. We meet at Red Point in Birmingham on a Fridays.
While having a conversation recently with my partner discussing how I could give my time to support others through an existing charity, he suggested that perhaps we could develop a charity of our own. Having knowledge and an understanding of working alongside people with disabilities we both saw the value in the establishment of a Paraclimbing club in the West Midlands. I started climbing in 2009
due to my own back problems, as a physiotherapist I thought the exercise would help me to stretch and strengthen my back and I was also keen to make new friends having recently moved to a new area and felt quite isolated due to my chronic pain. I now climb to help keep my pain under control, keep fit, have fun and manage my anxiety. My partner has a long term chronic health condition causing him to have mental health issues and chronic pain. As a result, he has limited range of mobility in his back and lower limbs. This is not immediately apparent when observing him climb. This has made me look at life differently, as we have had to make adjustments so he can approach his life in a different manner. He used to be a professional yachtsman, shepherd and mountain leader and has had to accept that he can no longer do these things professionally. This led him into working with young people with mental health issues and disabilities. He continues to rehabilitate his own back and mind through climbing and meditation and is beginning to manage his disability on increasing levels. Recently we realised there is very little in the community to make this rewarding sport available to those that might benefit from it most. So we decided to form the WMPC with the support of Redpoint in Birmingham. We want to offer the opportunity to rehabilitate and increase health and wellbeing through friendship, trust and gentle exercise. We would like it to be inclusive to everyone who might benefit from the positive aspects of climbing whatever disability you are challenged with. This includes all physical and mental disabilities and all ages. We aim to meet weekly on Friday afternoon into the evening but we can arrange other times to suit individual’s needs. We will be there to instruct you and teach you the necessary skills to keep you safe. If you are inspired to join in please contact us to organise a time to meet on [email protected] or call 0121 493 1477
Sophie and Tigs
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