The first time I heard about Carly Pearson was at Catalyst Sports’ monthly adaptive climbing event at River Sports Outfitters. I was there to interview a Catalyst volunteer. People kept asking me, “Have you met Carly?”

Carly was “a helicopter manager- meaning I supervised the fire crew and oversaw the government contracts between us (federal government) and the aviation companies that we contracted to fly,” before a tragic fall left her paralyzed from the waste down. After a year of grueling physical therapy, she realized she didn’t have a life. Adaptive sports gave her the challenges and adrenaline rushes she craved.

Carly qualified for the World Championship in Seated Adaptive Climbing, but she was unable to attend the championship in Spain. In 2016, she is determined to qualify for the World Championship in Paris, France. Last month we began documenting her journey.

Being a single mother with two young children complicates matters. Frequent schedule changes and exhausion compete with her training schedule.

Jessica Lane (left) with Carly Pearson.

We look forward to documenting her participation in:

The Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee pageant

Various Catalyst Sports events

Snow Skiing at Ober Gatlinburg

Sled hockey at Cool Sports

Kayaking at The Cove

Hand cycling at the Tennessee Paracycling Open

Hand cycling the entire Knoxville Marathon

Catalyst adaptive kayacking at The Cove. Photo by: Buck Kahler

A year from now we hope we have great news about Carly going to Paris!

Film by: Nolpix Media

Cover photo by: Andrea Wronski

© Nolpix Media, 2015