EVERETT, Wash. — A program that provides sports and activities for people who are visually impaired or blind was at a rock climbing gym in Everett this weekend, helping attendees reach new heights on ropes.
The Northwest Association for Blind Athletes' calendar of events features activities including tandem bike riding, hiking, paddle boarding and snowshoeing. They were in Everett at the rock climbing gym Summit Everett on Sunday.
Claire Dean, 10, was one of the attendees. She described her vision impairment.
“If you give me something that’s really small, I can read it. It’s just that it really hurts my eyes,” she said.
Despite her lack of vision, she quickly climbed through the multiple routes, reaching the top with a laugh each time.
Heidi Coggins, another attendee, lost her vision about two years ago and said she’s hooked on the various activities the group participates in together.
She said each time she climbs a wall, she gets more familiar with it. Even though she can’t see how high up she is, she uses sound to hear the change in echos, telling her she’s closer to the ceiling.
“You don’t need sight to climb a rock wall," she said. "You just need touch, and I have plenty of that. It's all tactile, it’s perfect."