Adventurers Talk Epilepsy

Today’s story is a small epic of a tale. It starts on the other side of the world, it includes some dramatic moments, some aspirations achieved. I also had to download a beep sound to censor some swear words in this episode - and you’ll soon understand why. This is the story of my first #30at30forEpilepsy challenge. This is my ice climbing adventure. Why Ice Climbing? Well one reason is that I am trying out some of the sports that contributors to Seize Your Adventure already do. Some of you out there will be familiar with a gentleman called Alex Staniforth. Alex was plagued by adversity and epilepsy as a child, and has gone on to do some extraordinary things, including attempting to climb Everest on two occasions. The first time he tried was when he was eighteen, which is quite incredible. So ice climbing is partly inspired by Alex. I figured, this might be one of the harder challenges to arrange. I live near London, a place that’s not really known for its glaciers or icy mountains. I thought I’d have to jet off to another country, brave the cold on the remote side of a mountain, and contend with all the extra risks there might be from having epilepsy in that environment. But I did some research and I learned that there are actually a few indoor icewalls in the UK and the team at Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports invited me along to an session at their indoor wall, called Vertical Chill. So suddenly, from being one of the harder challenges to arrange it became the easiest. I was so excited I made it the 1st challenge and spent some time on MY ACTUAL 30th BIRTHDAY climbing a wall of ice, in the middle of London which is just... so cool. (I’m sorry for the pun.)

TRY ICE CLIMBING:

You can experience the thrill of real ice climbing in the city at the Vertical Chill Ice walls London and Manchester (located within Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports) Vertical-chill.com

MUSIC:

Cinematic Trailer - Epic Emotional Background Music / Action Orchestral Music by AShamaluevMusic | License: Creative Commons

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Become a patron to support the podcast and continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure. Find out more and sign up at patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. You can also make a one-off donation at https://www.paypal.me/seizeyouradventure.

TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE at seizeyouradventure.com/transcripts

FOLLOW SEIZE YOUR ADVENTURE:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SYAdventurers/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/syadventurers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syadventurers/

And tag when you listen, share, subscribe!

See acast.com/privacy fo

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network