Note from Stacey

Mari, thanks for stopping by the site! I hope to see you this Sunday. Things have been really busy for me. I have been busy juggling my classes, organizing the climb-a-thon, and climbing. It has been a lot to handle, but I am really looking forward to the event on Sunday. On Nov. 19th, I had the privilege of participating in the Twisters ABS bouldering competition. I was really impressed with the event. The new manager, Jess McCauley, really did a great job putting together the comp. There were over 80 boulder problems, a barbeque, a raffle, and even a band after hours! It was a good way to showcase the rennovations that have been made in the last couple years…there is more climbing space now, but the event was publicized so well the comp was very crowded. It was great to see the Twisters kids from my old team, now incredibly strong teenagers, climbing hard and enjoying themselves. There was a good variety of climbs in the beginning and intermediate range, and I had fun competing even though I wore a paper mask to help shield myself from germs. It was hard to breathe with the mask on, and the power moves were difficult. I also avoided any climbs that were over 10 feet, or looked like I would not be able to do without falling. This careful approach certainly did not lead to a very high score, but I felt safer. I don’t want to have an injury and become disabled again…and be a burden to my friends and out of climbing again. It will take a while to be able to climb strongly again. Before the transplant, one of my doctors said, “It’s too bad they don’t have climbing in the Transplant Games.” I told her I was going to enter regular competitions! Now I’ve done it! -Stacey, from Belmont