I’m Poppy, I’m dyspraxic and in my free time I love climbing and mountaineering. I discovered the sport while I was at university training to be an occupational therapist and looking for a way to meet new people and enjoy moving my body. Quickly I was hooked on the fun, the problem solving, the freedom and the opportunities to visit beautiful places with amazing friends. From indoor climbing, I was able to move into climbing and then alpine mountaineering, and really enjoy everything that comes along with trips to the great outdoors, like wild swimming, stargazing and campfires. Through climbing I was able to improve my balance, co-ordination and upper body strength but most importantly my confidence in myself and my abilities.
Fast forward a few years and I’m now working as a children’s occupational therapist and still spending most of my weekends adventuring outdoors. Having seen such a change in myself through climbing, I now work with UK Paraclimbing Collective and Paraclimbing London, two organisations working to help more disabled people get involved in our sport. I want other people like me to not only know that they can join in if they want to, but to feel really welcome, to understand the benefits of this sport and of being part of the community. If you’d like to get involved, please get in touch and I’ll help you any way I can.
