James conquers the climbing wall

27th September, 2011

James Davison, is a 13 year old young person who attends the Youthy’s VIBE youth club.

Photograph: James Davison

VIBE (Versatile, Brilliant, Imaginative, Environment) is a youth club for young people with special needs. The young people come to VIBE to make new friends, socialise, take part in a wide variety of activities including cooking, arts and crafts, climbing wall, pool, table tennis, dancing, discos, talent shows and hair and beauty.

VIBE is run 2 evenings a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) from Five Lamps’ purpose built youth facility, the Youthy on Thornaby Road, Thornaby, Stockton.

James is a young adult with autism, sensory integration dysfunction and delayed learning. He also has very limited speech. Autism effects balance and coordination making the Youthy’s climbing wall a big challenge for James; as he has difficulty controlling his arms and legs in unison. James also struggles with his concentration when climbing but when he is focused he regularly reaches the top.

One of James’ biggest hurdles was learning to descend correctly from the wall. James struggled getting into the correct position to descend correctly. Gary Stoker, Five Lamps Climbing Wall Instructor and James parents worked together to show James the stance that was required. This involved one of his parents holding his feet up while Gary pulled his waist away from the wall. Gary would then lower him while his parents walked his feet down.

Through repetitive coaching for a number of months from his parents and Gary, James has learned to descend correctly and now appears to enjoy coming down more than going up. Although James does have problems with emotions and how to express himself, he is very happy with himself when he uses the climbing wall.

Sharon, James’ Mum said “Finding activities that James can both access and enjoy has always been a challenge. The Youthy offers a bustling, lively atmosphere. It is a safe place where disabled children and young adults can drop in for as long as they want or are comfortable with, in a non-judgemental atmosphere that encourages socialisation, often making new friends along the way too.

James has always enjoyed the Climbing Wall under the safe supervision of a qualified instructor, but he could not understand that he was supposed to walk down the wall using his feet. The change of method coming down was difficult for him to grasp. However over the months, with patient instruction, by using single words and by showing (often climbing alongside), James has managed to walk down the wall properly. He may still swing or hang loose if he is in a cheeky mood, but with the dedication of Gary, James has learnt new skills whilst having fun”

VIBE is funded through support from Children in Need.

Download this Good News Story (PDF)
 

Back