Wednesday saw me face one of my largest physical and mental challenges to date.
Wednesday saw me stand at the bottom of a 14m wall at Calshot psyching myself up to climb it 16.5 times.
Why?
Because for those of you who have not read my blog before (shame on you!) Wednesday 3rd May 2017 was the date set for me to climb The Cheese Grater; otherwise known as The Leadenhall Building. A 225m angular glass building within the business district of London that towering over many of its iconic neighbours.
Given its design, it was not possible or safe to climb the actual building, instead with my trusty climbing partner we set about the challenge of climbing it’s height as a relay, which COMBINED gave us a total climb for the event of just over 550m.
I have faced many challenges, but no amount of practice or training got me ready for this.
My CP (Climb Partner) and trusty Belayer Simon wasn’t letting me do it alone; instead he agreed to match my climb and be there to help me in my endeavour to EARN myself some rather special, incredibly innovative and fully accessible (via a simple iPhone App) ReSound Linx Hearing Aids.
it was with him and support team that I found myself pushing harder than I have ever pushed before.
I have had my NHS hearing aids now for just over a month, as I have said previously; it’s not a simple case of popping them in my ears and off I go. They have been hard work and absolutley exhausting at times.
I have noticed how the sound, echo and wall heights of Calshot have been some of the most difficult areas to wear my aids. In what is a glorified hanger, with a ski slope to one side and veladrome to the other, I have found myself wanting to leave.
Hence the challenge (Although I wasn’t aware just how much of one it would be)
It too a little under 7 hours, with me taking a rather hard fall on my 15th climb which made me worry I would not complete the final stretch. With Will from our support team taking over CP duties in belaying both Simon and I for a last few climbs (not together I must add) we found the strength to push past the exhaustion. To find the strength and at just after 10pm we finished.
It was a some points mind over matter, a point after my fall that found Simon climbing up alongside me to reassure me and coax me on.
I had hit my knee off a hold, scraped the skin off my fingers, but it was a challenge I had set myself and I was not about to let myself or my CP’s down!
THE DAY AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE…..
Waking up on Thursday I felt suprisingly well; a bit ached, but no more than a usual climbing session.
It was then that I discovered the bruising from my fall. Across the back of my thighs !!
And apart from feeling a little ‘jelly legged’ I was still buzzing with adrenaline and excitement over what I had achieved.
I am proud of Simon.
I am also proud of myself; not something I will say often.
i am determined to ‘earn’ my hearing aids, I am determined to make sure that the independent, stubborn, bouncy, bubbly T returns. I have faced many battles with this additional sensory loss, I am still fighting many of the demons.
But I will win.
I will come out on top.
I just need a little support to get there, so here is the ask; Please can you show your support via my crowdfunding page:
THANK YOU
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