Climbing with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Mary BD Tribe Leader

Meet Mary Meilton, one of our Black Diamond Tribe Leaders based in Chippenham.
In this interview, Mary tells us about her story of learning to climb as a paraclimber with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Mary was filmed at The Arc, an accessible climbing centre in Chippenham, Wiltshire.
You can find out more about climbing wall access at Mary's site www.accesstoclimb.co.uk. For information on access at TCA centres, please visit www.theclimbingacademy.com/access.
You can see some more examples of inclusive climbing at TCA centres here:
• BD Local Heroes - Meet...
At TCA, we do not run classes for kids with special educational needs and disabilities, specifically. We try first to include SEND kids in our regular classes. Inclusion and not separation is our preference where possible. This involves a conversation with coaches. When this is not suitable we can discuss the needs of individuals and schedule a bespoke class or one-to-one session(s). If you are interested in attending a scheduled class or if you would like to discuss bespoke sessions, please contact your nearest centre. TCA operates in Glasgow and SW England: www.theclimbingacademy.com/lo...
Closed captions are available.

[@Gazname]

I have EDS too, although im lucky that ive always been doing a lot of working out as a preventative measure, i look mostly like everyone else at a glance. This poor girl definitely has it a lot worse than i do.
I actually started climbing at the mothership 4 months ago. Its very heartwarming and inspiring to see someone who has the same condition as me do so well.
Also just an odd small world kind of moment seeing a video about the pretty rare condition i have on the channel of the centre i climb at, pretty cool lol

[@the-climbing-academy]

A small world indeed. Thanks for sharing. We hope you continue to enjoy climbing at the Mothership.

[@isaklinton324]

This is so nice! Of course you fit inside the climbing community. I've been keeping climbing because the aura in the gyms is so inviting! The feeling of feeling unwelcome or out of place is so close to my heart but for different reasons. Being in normal gyms, i felt like i had to be someone else. In the climbing gym i can be me. I'm so happy that Mary never let her feeling of "being out of place" stoped her, I'm glad she stuck with her passion

[@the-climbing-academy]

We totally agree and this is great to hear. "Being in normal gyms, i felt like i had to be someone else. In the climbing gym i can be me". Making our centres welcoming is really important to us. Climbing centres are as much about community as the sport. We really want people to know that they can try climbing and feel like it's OK for them to be there, no matter if they're climbing the high grades or just pulling on and trying the easiest climbs.

[@briggfoot]

Thanks Mary, my partner was an avid climber and is now struggling more and more with possible EDS and health stuff that is stopping her climbing in its tracks. This is inspiring, all the best

[@LeTrashPanda]

This is so inspiring (!) I have hEDS & am working towards being able to Mountain Bike again. Go Mary, go! 👏💪
PS: I use red LED & NIR light for joint pain, it really helps post workout & for random pain (I use a handheld device)

[@hippoheidi]

Hi Mary . My 12 year old daughter has hyper mobile Eds and cardio vascular dysfunction . We are also in Wiltshire and stuck in the nhs system . Do you happen to know the key doctor /consultant in Wiltshire or nearby for Eds conditions that we could see privately . Thanks

[@alex-ju6qh]

Great video! I don't have ED but I do have moderate-severe hypermobility. My hands are getting destroyed, I've always got injured pulleys etc. I noticed Mary was sticking to quite juggy holds - is that the solution?

[@the-climbing-academy]

Hi Alex, I'm not sure. Perhaps Mary can respond. I would imagine so as spreading the load across more area should be easier to control than tiny holds. If you're on Instagram, you can find Mary at instagram.com/mary.paraclimber/

[@maryparaclimber]

Hey Alex! I’d say the biggest way I prevent injuries is just being really in-tune with how my body feels, and picking my routes & holds based on my body’s capabilities that day. So like the day this was filmed, I was dislocating lots so as you said, I stuck to mostly juggy holds. But other days, if my body is feeling stronger then I definitely will use a whole range of holds. If you’re getting injured lots, maybe back track a little, stick to those juggy holds and give enough time for it to not only heal, but build up a bit more strength and stability in the joints before going back to your usual climbs. For me it’s just like a constant process of assessment and adaption. Hope that makes sense!