World Number One Paraclimbing Dream 2022
NZ record holder unfunded by High Performance Sport, single mum trying to bring home a medal for my super powered daughter.
Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui
Kia ora.
My name is Rachel Māia and I am a New Zealand below the knee amputee Paraclimber. I am also a single Mum of three. My eldest is high needs and is one of 30 in the world with a rare chromosome special edition (we say super powered!). She brings some magical colours to my world and also some extreme challenges, but she is my biggest supporter, often waking us all in the morning with the national anthem blasting and waving a New Zealand flag.
I'm on a mission to bring home New Zealand first ever medal in Sport Climbing. There hasn't been a New Zealander on an IFSC podium in either able or paraclimbing and the latter feels so within reach for me! But after placing fourth in the 2018 World Championships and then fourth again in the 2019 World Championships covid brought the dream to a jarring stand still.
Through the nearly 3 year covid time warp I have continued to use climbing and exercise to manage chronic pain, a complication of my amputation, and to support mental health. And I've not given up the dream!
I have learned though that as they say it takes takes a village to raise children. It also takes a village to become a World Champion. I am trying to do both!
This year I will return to international paraclimbing for all three World Cups. I am so excited to see all the mahi and literal blood sweat and tears come to fruition, and I can not wait to hopefully bring home that so far elusive medal.
Any donation, big or small, towards training and travel would be so greatly appreciated. There is no wall in my city, and so training requires a minimum of a 3 hour round trip drive to reach a facility.
Paraclimbing is an unfunded Sport in New Zealand and the weight of raising it all oneself is stressful amidst training and parenting. But this has been a constant and evolving journey of self belief and not giving up, and I hope that my pathway to a podium for New Zealand will encourage everyone around me that with the right community and support, your dreams are possible.
If you're not in a place to donate, that's okay! Please hit share for me. Every share is valuable and appreciated!
I acknowledge it's awkward fundraising for sports when there are so many valuable and worthy causes in our sometimes messy world. I appreciate every one of you.
You are all my team.
Ngā mihi. Rachel.
Use of funds
Money will be spent directly on travel to training facilities, monthly training plans with my Paraclimbing coach in the USA, nutrition (proteins etc), High Performance Nutritionist care, and pending travel restrictions, the 2022 World Cups.
Other page links
Latest update
SLC World Cup update and Covid Recovery. 3 June 2022
Kia ora all!
Well that's the first word cup done! Wow! Silver and a historical podium for all women on the AL2 podium. Each of us brought home our countries first ever medal and that was really special to be a part of.
I felt truely where I belonged during qualifiers, and loved every moment of it. My heart felt like it was just beating in time with each move, I know I left it all on the wall that day and when I went into the competition, that for me was a huge goal. Finals I felt off for so many reasons. In my head a lot, not in the moment. It was a great route and looking back achievable but my head wasn't in the right place and mistakes were made.
I'm still super happy, and deeply grateful for all of you for getting me here.
Unfortunately I came down with the start of Covid on finals day, and it was a quick downhill slide from there. I've needed some extra medical help with a long night in the ER. But am resting now in Denver with friends, dogs, chickens and a cate that pretends he hates me but sneaks into my room at night to snuggle on the bed.
I have a treatment plan for getting though covid, with the help of a home nebuliser kit and medicine. It's likely the altitude has made things harder for me, going from sea level to 4300 ft above and then catching it. I will delay flights to LA for training by a couple of days, and then head over to ease back into it. My plans for Austria are still there, leaving LA on the 16th of June, but my expectations for performance are simply to practice being in the moment, doing whatever my best feels like on the day, and using it as a warm up to get ready for Switzerland.
I've attached a photo from our finals climb. And a link to the event highlights where you can see our podium. Three amazing wāhine bringing it home for Australia, Portugal and Aotearoa.
Onwards and upwards from here.
Thank You for all being a part of it.
Rachel.
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