He scales heights of British climbing
BY STEPHEN STEWART s.stewart@dailyrecord.co.uk A BLIND RAF hero – who also lost the ability to walk in an accident – has scaled new heights to become one of Scotland’s best paraclimbers.
Garry Cowan fractured his spine in 2003 in a parachute jump and spent two years learning how to use his legs again after being told he was likely to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
He went on to lose his sight four years ago after contracting chicken pox.
Now, Garry has triumphed in the gruelling world of paraclimbing and has been ranked second in the UK in his paraclimbing category.
He said: “If someone had told me I’d be competing at this level two years ago, I would have laughed at them.
“It’s unbelievable – from even thinking about trying climbing out for fun to then climbing at world class level, it’s scary.”
Former avionics engineer Garry, 37, travels from his home in St Andrews to Edinburgh University’s sports injuries centre twice a week for elite training on their AlterG anti-gravity treadmill.
In December, Garry was ranked second in the UK for the B1 category, which includes competitors with blindness and most severe vision loss, in the GB Paraclimbing Series – while suffering a shoulder injury.
He said: “It doesn’t feel real. Even when I’m standing on podiums, getting medals and handshakes, it hasn’t sunk in. There’s a real sense of community among paraclimbers, that’s what I like so much about the sport.
“And when I’m climbing, it’s the boost and the thrill of just getting to the top and knowing I’ve done it.
“I just want people to know that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. It’s all in the head.
“I want to pass anything I can on to veterans, friends, even sighted climbers.”
Scottish War Blinded have been funding Garry’s taxis so he can train.
The charity’s director, Rebecca Barr, said: “We support each of our members in ways which are most suited to them, to enable them to live life as independently as they can.”