My name is John Churcher. I have Usher Syndrome, which affects my sight and hearing. I was born with a hearing loss and wear two hearing aids. The eye condition is RP, which started about the age of 14 with night blindness. Currently I have 3% vision. I have a Guide Dog called Annie.
Years ago, a friend invited me to go to a local climbing wall to have a go at climbing. I loved it and I was good at it. I found out about competitions for people with disabilities, but had just missed the series for that year.
The next year, I entered the National Paraclimbing Series and gained a place on the GB Paraclimbing Team. I was hooked. I have now been on the team for four years, and promote Paraclimbing at every opportunity. At the time of writing it is less than a week before I take part in the World Championships, in Paris. In July 2015 I was part of the Eiger Paraclimb 2015, a team of 3 paraclimbers and 2 mountaineers who summitted the West Flank of the Eiger in Switzerland, and I became the first blind person to do so. I hope you’ll watch this 2 minute film about climbing made by Guide Dogs, UK, that showcases what people with a visual impairment can achieve.
