In 2008, a physiotherapist in Germany took a 14-year-old girl named Linda, who habitually used a wheelchair, to a climbing wall. Despite her physical limitations, she was undaunted. She looked up at the routes of coloured holds dotted up the hard, angular, grey surface and said: “Ich wil da rauf” which means: “I want to get up there.”
Within 12 months, the programme was born: a climbing community aimed at young people, with inclusivity at its centre, formed by Linda, her parents and her coach. For 11 years, it has fulfilled its unique mission, providing opportunity and community for people with and without disabilities.
Ich wil da rauf is also supported by Laureus Sport for Good as part of its Everyone Wins campaign, which promotes the idea that when sport helps young people to defeat violence and inequality, everyone wins. The programme was recognised for its success by the European Commission, presenting it with its #BeInclusive award in 2019.
