SIMPLY ... JOY

Meet Chad!

only pic i have - sorry

Chad is a boy who loves to climb with Splore every week. Yesterday I had the privilege of working with him. Chad is pretty much non-verbal (except for words like dad, climb, smile, foot) but does use American Sign Language. In addition to climbing, he loves to run around Momentum and have you chase him, and normally I would be up for this game, however I made the mistake of unhooking him first, so when I went to chase him I got tied up in the ropes and fell backwards on the ground! (note to self, unhook ME first.) Anyway, after I caught him I asked him to expend some of his energy that he had and push himself real hard for me today and climb a 5.9. (for those who don't understand climbing, a 5.9 is a really intense degree level climb and is extremely difficult for children). I moved him over to the wall and grabbed the ropes to get us hooked in to start climbing. While he doesn't communicate back to you, he does understand everything that you tell him to do. A few climbing placements and rest times later, he made it to the top and gave me a BIG smile and thumbs up!!! He then motioned for me, using ASL, and began repelling down the wall screaming "Dad". As soon as his feet touched the cushions and before I could untie him, he ran to his dad and gave him a huge hug. It took everything I had not to cry at this beautiful sight. 

Working with these children every week is such a blessing. I can't wait for work to be over so I can go be with them and see the happiness that rock climbing brings to their face. I learn so many wonderful things like patience, love, the importance of eye contact and positive communication, love, gratitude and simply ... joy from them! There is a special aura that is emanated that is so addictive. I hope I can always work with Splore in helping give children with disabilities the opportunity to increase their trust, fine/gross motor skills and self-esteem through recreational activities. 

"No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child" Abraham Lincoln