Help Gimpmonkeys Win GOLD Medals!
Donation protected
Paraclimbing is a quickly growing sport, and four climbers from the Front Range have earned a spot on the USA Climbing Team to represent our country at the World Championships in Paris, France. They need your help to get there! With no institutional funding available, the team will be eating Ramen to save up and needs your help to fill in the funding gaps.
Please check out our updates for more pictures and videos about our crew.
About the athletes:
James Scheri: With a beard that would make Paul Bunyan jealous, James brought his A-Game to nationals in Atlanta where he placed fourth in the Mens Leg Amputee division. A 31 year old Marine Veteran, James lost his leg in an accident shortly after moving to Colorado. Climbing became a major reason for him moving again, he started climbing during his rehab program while still on crutches. James is excited to represent the USA again, in a sport that has changed his life.
Maureen Beck, AKA Team Mom: Born with only one hand, Mo has been climbing since she was 12 and competing in paraclimbing since 2013. This will be her 3rd appearance overseas and she'll be defending her 2014 World Title. For more info, visit: http://www.moinmountains.com/
Jess Sporte
Jessica Sporte was born with cancer in her right calf. She underwent chemo, radiation, and ultimately amputation by four months of age. Losing her leg hasn't stopped her, though. Jessica competed in wheelchair tennis at the professional level and has had a career high singles ranking of number 2 in the nation in 2013 and a career high doubles ranking of 33 in the world. Jessica took up rock climbing in March of 2015 and competed at the Paraclimbing Nationals in Atlanta, GA three months later where she took 3rd place. This past July, Jessica competed at the Paraclimbing Nationals where she took 2nd place, earning her a spot on the US team that will compete at the world championships in France.
Bill Casson: Bill was born completely blind. Multiple surgeries gave him marginal sight until two retinal detachments reduced his vision to the occasional perception of light or shadow. In summer and fall of 2009 the Colorado Center for the Blind helped him to challenge himself by encouraging his interest in climbing. Bill began climbing regularly in June 2015 and is the two-time National Blind Adaptive Champion. Bill
believes that lack of sight is just another dimension to overcome in solving the problems of a particular route, just as climbing is a microcosm for surmounting other challenges in life. For more info, visit: http://www.cassonsclimbing.top/
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To donate to a specific athlete, please note their name in the comments of your donation. Otherwise donations will be split evenly.
Flights: $1200
Lodging: $700
Ground Transit: $250
Food, Misc: $350
$2500 per athlete, $10,000 total.
Please check out our updates for more pictures and videos about our crew.
About the athletes:
James Scheri: With a beard that would make Paul Bunyan jealous, James brought his A-Game to nationals in Atlanta where he placed fourth in the Mens Leg Amputee division. A 31 year old Marine Veteran, James lost his leg in an accident shortly after moving to Colorado. Climbing became a major reason for him moving again, he started climbing during his rehab program while still on crutches. James is excited to represent the USA again, in a sport that has changed his life.
Maureen Beck, AKA Team Mom: Born with only one hand, Mo has been climbing since she was 12 and competing in paraclimbing since 2013. This will be her 3rd appearance overseas and she'll be defending her 2014 World Title. For more info, visit: http://www.moinmountains.com/
Jess Sporte
Jessica Sporte was born with cancer in her right calf. She underwent chemo, radiation, and ultimately amputation by four months of age. Losing her leg hasn't stopped her, though. Jessica competed in wheelchair tennis at the professional level and has had a career high singles ranking of number 2 in the nation in 2013 and a career high doubles ranking of 33 in the world. Jessica took up rock climbing in March of 2015 and competed at the Paraclimbing Nationals in Atlanta, GA three months later where she took 3rd place. This past July, Jessica competed at the Paraclimbing Nationals where she took 2nd place, earning her a spot on the US team that will compete at the world championships in France.
Bill Casson: Bill was born completely blind. Multiple surgeries gave him marginal sight until two retinal detachments reduced his vision to the occasional perception of light or shadow. In summer and fall of 2009 the Colorado Center for the Blind helped him to challenge himself by encouraging his interest in climbing. Bill began climbing regularly in June 2015 and is the two-time National Blind Adaptive Champion. Bill
believes that lack of sight is just another dimension to overcome in solving the problems of a particular route, just as climbing is a microcosm for surmounting other challenges in life. For more info, visit: http://www.cassonsclimbing.top/
***********************************************************
To donate to a specific athlete, please note their name in the comments of your donation. Otherwise donations will be split evenly.
Flights: $1200
Lodging: $700
Ground Transit: $250
Food, Misc: $350
$2500 per athlete, $10,000 total.
Organizer
Maureen Beck
Organizer
Arvada, CO