Climbing Program Breaks Down Barriers

People with disabilities get the opportunity to rock climb through Duke program

One rock at a time, Duke alumna Holly Thompson guides a 10-year-old girl with physical disabilities to the top of the 32-foot-high climbing wall at Wilson Rec Center.“I think it’s especially inspiring to climb with someone who has different challenges and see how they’re just pushing through it and finding ways that work for them,” said Thompson, who graduated from the physical therapy program in May 2014.From her graduate school work, Thompson recognized the importance of making sports accessible to everyone. She collaborated with fellow rock climbing enthusiast and biomedical engineering graduate student Kesh Rao to develop the adaptive climbing program at Duke. “Your disability shouldn’t limit you,” Thompson said. “Someone with a disability should still be able to go out and find sports that they love and find things that they love to do. And when you help break down those barriers and create access, it can change someone’s life.”To create a sustainable program, Thompson, Rao and the adaptive climbing team worked together to fundraise and purchase their own adaptive rock climbing equipment. At each clinic, they train volunteers to help guide and motivate participants.Nathan McKinnis, Duke’s Managing Director of Recreation Programs, jumped on board when Thompson and Rao asked if Wilson Rec could host the climbing program. The initiative, which started in October 2013 with one climbing event, has evolved into monthly climbing clinics as interest grew across the Triangle.Now, the founders are encouraging others to start similar programs elsewhere.“There’s a lot of opportunities beyond our climbing wall here. Throughout the community, at other education institutions and private gyms as well,” McKinnis said.Program leaders have reached out to NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill, who were both receptive to the idea of starting their own programs. “What we want to be is a model for other universities and recreation centers around the state and the country,” Rao said. Their efforts are making an impact. Fifth grader Nelle Poehlman was born with limited use of her right hand, but that did not let stop her from challenging herself and completing the climb on a recent October 19th climb.“It was wonderful,” Poehlman said afterward. “It’s fun, it’s at Duke and they have good smoothies right next door.”Thompson finds it rewarding to see how much participants like Poehlman improve and grow with each clinic they attend.“When they can do something that’s challenging and work through it, you know, it’s not just about the wall,” Thompson explained. “It can give someone hope and courage about facing other challenges in life.”