The article Challenging Adversity by Kitty Calhoun is a truly inspirational post about handicapped women overcoming not only rocks, icy climates, and mountains, but the fear, anxiety and stigmas of having a disability. The author talks about how she knows she can do anything when she lead an amputee with ice climbing in Ouray, Colorado Through an organization called Paradox Sports. Paradox Sports, for those who are unaware, is an organization specialized in helping people with disabilities go climbing. Through this organization, Calhoun has gathered seven amazing tales of overcoming adversity.
There are many amazing stories from the women who were mentioned in this article. For example, Tatiana, a woman born with cerebral palsy was able to go ice climbing in order to train for the Paraclimbing Nationals. Another heartwarming thing Tatiana brought up is the overall kindness, support, and friendliness she has witnessed in the climbing community. A tale that really struck me was about Bee. Bee unfourtently lost her legs in a bouldering accident, but due to her love of the outdoors and climbing she works with Paradox Sports and continues to climb to this very day. Esha’s story was also very interesting due to the fact that she’s blind. It also was intriguing to hear that climbing was actually a part of her therapy growing up. Kim also was extremly inspirational because for 32 years she used to be ashamed of her disability and refused to wear her prosthetic fingers until she got into ice climbing, which changed her outlook and self image in a more positive direction.
This article was a nice feel good tale. This shows that even with a physical handicap, there is so much one can do if they really put their mind to it.
Kevin Sweeney's E-Portfolio 