Blind paraclimber up for award

ACCOLADE: Fife mentor and coach Garry in the running for national prize after facing life-changing challenges

A blind veteran from Fife is in the running to be named role model of the year.

Garry Cowan, who is Scotland’s top paraclimber, is shortlisted for the title in the Scottish Veterans Awards.

The former RAF Leuchars avionics engineer was nominated by the charity Scottish War Blinded in recognition of his mentoring work with fellow veterans with sight loss.

Garry, 38, of St Andrews, had to learn to walk again after he broke his back in a parachute jump in 2003. He lost his sight completely in 2015 after contracting chicken pox.

Determined to live life to the full, he took up paraclimbing three years ago and competes at national, European and international level and is ranked number one in Scotland and second in the UK in his category.

Since 2018 he has mentored other veterans, introducing many of them to and coaching them in paraclimbing, and last year he organised a veterans climbing week event attended by climbers from Scotland, Wales and England.

Garry said: “I feel very taken aback and very thankful for this recognition for what I’ve been doing.

“It’s really nice to hear the feedback from the Scottish War Blinded veterans and to hear how they are moving forward and getting on with life.

“From meeting them all on day one and individuals saying they couldn’t do it, to looking at all they’ve done now, it is really heart-warming.”

He will learn in April if he has won the award.

Rebecca Barr, director of Scottish War Blinded, said: “Garry has come through the life-changing challenges of complete sight loss with a can-do attitude that is nothing short of inspirational to us all at Scottish War Blinded – staff and veterans alike.

“His actions and determination demonstrate that it is not only possible to adapt to life without sight, but also to discover new activities and skills, and achieve personal goals – whatever they may be.

“Garry’s Combined Veterans Climbing Week instilled a passion for climbing for those who took part, many of whom had never even considered they would be able to take part in the sport before meeting him through the charity.”

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His actions demonstrate it is not only possible to adapt to life without sight but to discover new skills

High hopes for determined Garry who had to learn how to walk again following a parachute jump accident, then lost his sight after contracting chicken pox.