Climbing wall helps family rise above pandemic challenge

For Cory Deegan, Outdoor Education Program Coordinator at Selwyn House School, being sheltered in place during the Coronavirus pandemic has presented deep challenges. But, thanks to his professional training and his love for his family, he has found a way to rise above the obstacles they all face.

 

In addition to being an avid outdoorsman and the leader of countless camping trips for Selwyn House students, Cory is passionate about rock-climbing. He climbs on his own and leads classes at the school’s climbing wall in the Speirs Gym. “Building a home climbing wall has long been a bucket-list project for my family,” he says, “as climbing together is one of our greatest family pastimes.”

 

“This is a project I embarked on with our three children, Kai, age 11, Cruse, 9 and Elsa June, 6.”

When the recent pandemic hit, “All of a sudden we needed to build this. My wife, Isabel, is from Spain, and early on in the spread of COVID-19, her family back home was affected pretty severely. The situation grew more and more complicated as several family members fell ill and we were left to worry and wait for updates. One of the things I knew I could help with, and possibly control, was keeping the kids occupied while Isabel did her best to support her family back home. So, we decided to finally build our home climbing wall.”

 

The family created a video documenting the project.

“There is no answer for how to deal with a crisis,” Cory says. “Each family—and family member—will respond in their own way and require their own unique treatments. For my family, like many, we were not only trapped in our homes, but in another country as well. We had to focus on the small things we could do to help each other and to help ourselves. For us it was ensuring the kids were stimulated, felt protected and were given a sense of purpose.This project came at the right time, and now that it is complete, it has hosted several training sessions with the kids.

 

“In the end, we are thankful for each other, for those who are helping family members when we cannot, and for the many privileges we have been blessed with.”