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MORRISVILLE, N.C. — Catalyst Sports is helping people experience new adventures at Triangle Rock Club in Morrisville, and it just hosted its first adaptive climbing event in the area Saturday morning. 

What You Need To Know 

Catalyst Sports and Triangle Rock Club are partnering for a new adaptive climbing experience

People of all ages and abilities are welcome 

They will be scheduling more adaptive climbing nights in the future 

The event was free for people of all ages and with disabilities or impairments. 

Climber Ashlyn Mills was thrilled to be off the ground and reaching new heights.

“It's hard, because people don't think I can do these challenges because of my disability, which think is kind of dumb because I can, and I’m very capable of doing it,” Mills said. “I literally love that people do this type of stuff. It makes me so happy, because they're trying to include people.”

Mills was born with a rare form of spina bifida. She wasn’t always in a wheelchair, but seven years ago, her hip got dislocated during a surgery. She went through therapy but never regained the use of her right leg. Although, Mills admits that she struggles at times, she has a great attitude and continues to inspire people with what she’s capable of.

“I just feel like there just needs to be more of us to help people,” Mills said. “Because it's not just about the activities. It's more about, like having fun and being happy and finding a community of people.”

Mills has also done adaptive surfing and is on a wheelchair basketball team. She continues to inspire other kids with disabilities to give new experiences a try.

Catalyst Sports Founder Eric Gray says climbing is a great form of recreational therapy.

“Climbing is such a good physical exercise that it works on your brain in terms of cognitive function and how you move to reach the next hold,” Gray said. “It works from an occupational therapy standpoint for range of motion in your arms. Physical therapy on endurance and strength. So it’s a really good form of therapy, as well as just connecting the community.”

Triangle Rock Club will be hosting more of these adaptive climbing events on Friday evenings. You can find more information and register online at its website.