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General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

Thanks Steve Morris 9-Apr-2017 At 8:43:51 PM salty crag

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I was approached by a local woman recently who knew I climbed a bit and asked if her son could have a try. It turns out the young guy has had a bit of a tough time. Born with some severe physical disability's he's endured an incredible number of major operations over his 17 years of life. Open heart surgery in his first week of life, severe cleft pallet, severe leg problems that caused his feet to almost face backwards...

Years of work and ops at the royal children's has greatly improved his life. He lives just up the road from me and he and his dad travel to the RC every week, 9 hour return trip. He has some pretty serious cranial surgery coming up soon, stuff that had to wait until his skull stopped growing.

This young guy is a highly intelligent caring young person with a great sense of humour and accepts the challenges life has dealt him. What he can't accept is the bullying and shit dealt out to him by ignorant people around him. He looks a bit different, talks slowly and often has to stop, slow down and carefully form words to get his message out. He also has difficulty with fine motor skills.

He has joined in with the crew I climb and train with and wow what a difference a couple of months has made. We can't stop or undo the bullying he gets at school and in life but he has found something he can do as well as anyone and is building a lot more confidence and self esteem.

We decided to pitch in and get some kit for him. I looked around online and then gave Steve a call. I didn't mean to but ended up telling Steve all about the young guy. The next week a package turned up for young Liam with all gear donated by Rock Hardware. A small thing like his own new shoes has led him to jump a few grades in a couple of weeks. Steve has offered to join us at Araps so he can meet and climb with Liam.

Bullying (sometimes found in posts on chocky) is an evil insidious horrible thing and to get to know this young guy and spend some fun time with him is great. To hear him explain some of the stuff he endures really chokes me up. Little things like the acceptance and camaraderie shown by the crew we climb with and the support from Steve and John are priceless.