Shelf Road, CO, Photo Credit: Will Strathmann
A photography feature of adaptive climbing and interview with Becky Lindstrom of the non-profit organization for adaptive climbing Paradox Sports.
Q: On your website you describe Paradox Sports as offering “accessible climbing experiences for people with disabilities, defying the perception that people with a disability cannot lead a life of adventure. Challenges include both indoor and outdoor rock climbing, ice climbing and mountaineering.” Tell us more about these experiences:
Paradox Sports provides a variety of programs including:
- Trips: Group adventures in iconic climbing areas nationwide.
- Clinics/Community Climbing Days: Short climbing experiences for people with disabilities.
- Custom Local Programs: Climbing guidance and instruction within Boulder, CO.
- Adaptive Climbing Initiative Courses: Instruction for adaptive climbing facilitators.
Trips
Our weekend-long trips are a foundation of Paradox Sports and an annual highlight from many employees, volunteers, climbers, and our partners. From ice climbing in Ouray to rock climbing in Yosemite Valley, these group experiences are one of a kind. Community Climbing Days Our community climbing days are casual, fun, and open to everyone. These clubs meet bi-monthly at Movement Climbing + Fitness in Boulder, CO. Volunteers for these climbing days are required to attend a volunteer training. Adaptive Climbing Initiative (ACI) Paradox Sports has put together a comprehensive training program for climbing facilitators to welcome people with physical disabilities into the climbing community. These courses include a mix of classroom education, open discussions, and on-the-wall training over two days. ACI courses provide gyms and their managers with the experience and equipment needed to offer quality adaptive climbing programs. Our goal is to make every climbing gym and program in the country accessible to all abilities. |
Q: Is the word disabled/disability still being commonly used or is there a better choice – I’ve heard “alternatively abled” be used? How is the language used around this topic impactful?
The word disabled is used in the industry. The language can vary depending on the individual’s preference. Some individuals do not like the word 'disabled,' while others do not like ‘alternatively abled’. The key is approaching each person as an individual and using people first language i.e., do not use terms such as “the disabled” or “the handicapped.” Avoid referring to people by their disability. For example, do not say, “She is an epileptic.” Instead, say, “She has epilepsy.” The language used can have obvious impact, both positively and negatively.
The word disabled is used in the industry. The language can vary depending on the individual’s preference. Some individuals do not like the word 'disabled,' while others do not like ‘alternatively abled’. The key is approaching each person as an individual and using people first language i.e., do not use terms such as “the disabled” or “the handicapped.” Avoid referring to people by their disability. For example, do not say, “She is an epileptic.” Instead, say, “She has epilepsy.” The language used can have obvious impact, both positively and negatively.
Q: There is such a diversity of disabilities and special needs or requirements for each. What disabilities do you work with? How do you get the expertise?
Common disabilities Paradox Sports serve include individuals with visual/hearing impairments, neuromuscular disorders, autism, spinal cord injuries, people with paraplegia, amputees, post-traumatic stress, and traumatic brain injuries.
We have worked with hundreds of professionals in the medical, therapy, climbing fields and consistently engage in conferences to maintain industry standards.
Common disabilities Paradox Sports serve include individuals with visual/hearing impairments, neuromuscular disorders, autism, spinal cord injuries, people with paraplegia, amputees, post-traumatic stress, and traumatic brain injuries.
We have worked with hundreds of professionals in the medical, therapy, climbing fields and consistently engage in conferences to maintain industry standards.
Q: You have a goal to make every gym in the U.S. accessible to people with disabilities. How are you accomplishing this? How many gyms do you have as of February 2020?
Paradox Sports, in conjunction with The North Face, created the Adaptive Climbing Initiative (ACI) in 2017. Hosted in climbing gyms and facilities throughout the country, the trainings are an invitation to all people - adaptive athletes, recreational climbers, climbing gym staff, and volunteers - to rethink what is possible. Adaptive climbing courses include a mix of classroom education, open discussions, and on-the-wall training and facilitation over a two-day period. After completing the course, the participants and gym will have the knowledge, resources, and equipment to launch an adaptive climbing program at their gym.
As of February 11, 2020, we have been in 94 gyms nationwide.
Q: What challenges are you facing as an organization?
As a small non-profit we consistently struggle with finding consistent funding. WE have a number of great partners including The North Face. But, if you consider that there are over 60 million people that identify with having a disability, there is room for growth. We are experiencing program growth and find that we are not able to serve all interested individuals (adaptive and volunteers) with our current program framework. Based on this demonstrated need, we want to increase our mission impact, serve more individuals, which is naturally tied to our fundraising and nurturing growth in our donor base.
As a small non-profit we consistently struggle with finding consistent funding. WE have a number of great partners including The North Face. But, if you consider that there are over 60 million people that identify with having a disability, there is room for growth. We are experiencing program growth and find that we are not able to serve all interested individuals (adaptive and volunteers) with our current program framework. Based on this demonstrated need, we want to increase our mission impact, serve more individuals, which is naturally tied to our fundraising and nurturing growth in our donor base.
Q: What challenges does a person with a disability face when trying to get into climbing and when learning to climb?
The biggest challenges can be mental. Individuals we have served expressed their pre-program anxiety, depression and doubt. As well, some individuals have considerable heath issues that need to be addressed appropriately. Climbing with a disability does look a little different for everyone. Paradox Sports creates a safe, supportive environment and community where showing up, trying, struggling, exploring, taking risk and possibly failing are all celebrated. Q: What tools are needed to begin an adaptive climbing program in a gym and how do those tools differ for outside climbing? The essentials are having an accessible space that does not create a barrier for entry (literally). As well, any organization needs to have staff that is trained in adaptive etiquette and understands the range of needs from the moment the adaptive climber enters the facility. Next, the organization must be deliberate in creating an environment that is safe, welcoming and inclusive. Once the foundation is set, there are a number of specific adaptive climbing pieces of equipment needed to serve the full range of abilities. |
Q. What paperwork or processes do you need to go through to host an event outside on public land (like a National Park, the BLM, or a state park)? Has that been difficult to obtain permissions and deal with liability concerns?
In general, we simply need to follow the appropriate application processes for any given program site. We have program on BLM, National Park, State Park and City land…each requiring a different permit application. In general, each organization demonstrates a high level of support for our programming. Thus far, we have not run into any difficulties obtaining a permit and delivering programs.
In general, we simply need to follow the appropriate application processes for any given program site. We have program on BLM, National Park, State Park and City land…each requiring a different permit application. In general, each organization demonstrates a high level of support for our programming. Thus far, we have not run into any difficulties obtaining a permit and delivering programs.
Q: Does a person who is paralyzed or missing a limb need to purchase specialized equipment for themselves? (e.g. a special prosthetic?) How expensive is this equipment? How do adaptive climbers locate this equipment?
No, Paradox Sports tries to serve all abilities and provide the specialized equipment. However, many adaptive climbers, once they have identified climbing as something they want to pursue individually, obtain their own specialized equipment. The expense ranges depending on the piece of equipment but many of our climbers are connected to industry professionals (i.e. prosthetists ), which offer support in the research and development of specialized equipment.
Q: What perceptions need to be changed about adaptive climbing – both in the general climbing community and within the disabled populations? The most significant shift in perception is anyone can climb, and anything is possible. This applies to both communities and is at the heart of what Paradox Sports does. We aim to make climbing accessible to all in order to shift the culture and perception that someone with a disability can’t go climbing. Q. What advice would you give to a climber who doesn’t have a disability in climbing and interacting with someone who does? How might one overcome any discomfort of saying or doing “the wrong thing?” When we deliver our volunteer training, we focus on one core concept, which is treat people with respect. Interact with them as you would want someone to interact with you…authentically, striving to get to know them. Find out what they want, need or don’t need. Along the way seek to understand, eliminate assumptions and integrate adaptive climbers into the community as you would want to be integrated. |
Q. Fundraising is always a challenge for a non-profit. What are your methods for fund-raising to keep things going?
Fundraising as a non-profit will always be a challenge, but that being said, we have a few amazing corporate sponsors like Eldorado Climbing Walls, The North Face, and Osprey, as well as grants like The Nielsen Foundation, Dralla Foundation, and the Welch Family Foundation, that help us substantially with funding.
Our community is also incredible – we have a peer-to-peer fundraiser, the Paradox Mile, that is hosted in gyms throughout the country. The goal of the Paradox Mile is to raise $5,280 as a group and climb 5,280 ft as an individual. Because of dedicated climbers who believe in our mission, we are able to make about ¼ of our operating budget this way.
Fundraising as a non-profit will always be a challenge, but that being said, we have a few amazing corporate sponsors like Eldorado Climbing Walls, The North Face, and Osprey, as well as grants like The Nielsen Foundation, Dralla Foundation, and the Welch Family Foundation, that help us substantially with funding.
Our community is also incredible – we have a peer-to-peer fundraiser, the Paradox Mile, that is hosted in gyms throughout the country. The goal of the Paradox Mile is to raise $5,280 as a group and climb 5,280 ft as an individual. Because of dedicated climbers who believe in our mission, we are able to make about ¼ of our operating budget this way.
Q. What are the ways someone can get involved with supporting adaptive climbing and/or Paradox Sports?
If you are an individual local to the Boulder/Front Range, we host quarterly volunteer trainings. We are always seeking volunteers for our trips as well. All information for both can be found at www.paradoxsports.org.
If you work for a gym or know of a gym that would benefit from either hosting a Paradox Mile or an ACI course, please reach out as well.
If you are an individual local to the Boulder/Front Range, we host quarterly volunteer trainings. We are always seeking volunteers for our trips as well. All information for both can be found at www.paradoxsports.org.
If you work for a gym or know of a gym that would benefit from either hosting a Paradox Mile or an ACI course, please reach out as well.
Q. When was Paradox Sports established and what are your visions for the near future and beyond? Paradox Sports was established as a 501 (c)(3) organization in 2007 by D.J. Skelton a severely injured-in-combat veteran, Timmy O'Neill, who has a brother that was severely injured, and Malcolm Daly, who experienced his own trauma on a climbing expedition in Alaska, resulting in a leg amputation. These three individuals saw the need for increasing opportunity within climbing world. Paradox Sports serves over 500 climbers nationwide and runs five national trips annually, while delivering a nationally recognized training to help increase the number of adaptive climbing communities. Q. Is there anything we missed that you’d like the Common Climber readers to know about adaptive climbing and/or Paradox Sports? Paradox Sports envisions a world where opportunity is not necessarily informed by ability levels and we want more people to support in any way they can. Get involved as a volunteer, donate what you can, advocate at your local facility for adaptive climbing programs and recognize that climbing is an amazing platform for positive change…be part of our growing community! |
Learn more about adaptive climbing, host an event at your local gym, or donate: www.paradoxsports.org