​#Together We Will: ‘Climbing works for my body’

The National Disability Sports Organisations (NDSOs) and English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), have come together, supported by Sport England to encourage disabled people to be more active. Together We Will aims to support you to become healthier, stronger and have fun being active.

Anoushé Husain has hypermobility syndrome. Here, she discusses how her diagnosis motivated her to try something new and she fell in love with climbing.

I was born with one arm.

One would think that would cause some obstacles when trying out sports or other things and trust me, it certainly makes me have to think out of the box, but it has never really stopped me. By the age of six I was competing in swimming, then as a teenager I found my love for karate.

The week I won my first medal, my surgeon told me I had to stop.

I was diagnosed with hypermobility syndrome, which causes my joints to dislocate. Being a sporty person, I was suddenly had to stop doing karate, tennis, squash, running – I had to learn and watch how my body would react to new things and have countless physio sessions.

I needed a dedicated sport.

I needed something that could keep me engaged and that I could challenge myself with but would also be good for me, or at least, not bad for me. I tried yoga last year but unfortunately it’s not the best activity a hypermobile person to do and I was laid up very quickly with my joints slipping out of place.

I tried wall climbing with a friend and enjoyed it.

We kept going once in a while and then things clicked. I thought this might be for me. Since I have one hand and joint issues, I tend to try a one-to-one sessions first to see if I can work out if something is right for me and get that dedicated attention from a coach.

I could see and feel that this sport had potential.

My joints were stable and I could barely move at work the next day, as I had used muscles that I never even knew existed. This made me realise how encompassing climbing is for the whole body. This can only be good for someone who needs her muscles to hold her joints in place. Climbing works for my body.

I have finally found a sport that I love.

I made myself a promise to start climbing more and see where it would take me. The last seven months have been transformative, from learning to balance and jump on a wall, finding a new relationship with my body, new friends, and an amazing coach. I have finally found a sport that I love and that works for my body.

To read more about Anoushé’s story, you can read her full blog here.

For more information about Together We Will and support on how to become more active, visit the Together We Will campaign page.

Find out more about sport and exercise opportunities for people with limb impairments, visit LimbPower website.

Join the conversation on social media using #TogetherWeWill and share your personal stories and photos of being active this summer.

Together We Will is brought to you by the National Disability Sports Organisations in partnership with EFDS and is supported by Sport England.