I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Trust me, you wouldn’t either.

It was our turn. Bodies in a vertical endeavor to be included. The exhibition climb at the Minneapolis Special Olympics was our chance. United by a goal our team tied in. It was time to show the committee we are climbers.

I was looking to prove I’m the best.

I am a skilled climber, but I quickly learned that was unimportant here. My ego was put in its place when I met Foster.

Foster is many things I’m sure. What you will notice first is he is blind. What I noticed is, he is a climber. Like me, a climber fighting to be seen as more than a person with a disability. A route we have been climbing together for years.

Parallel stories told in different ways.

I was in awe of Foster and his support. A team on a mission to send the toughest climb I have ever witnessed.

The wall didn’t care that Foster was blind. It held a place for him to find his way. Senses we take for granted used to reveal the route. On the wall, Foster can see just like I can speak.

I watched Foster not only work to stay on the wall, but work to feel the next hold.

I have such an advantage. I just look.

Foster must find it, feel the type of hold he has found, decide how to hold it, and then find his next foot. It requires a mental strength most don’t have. I want to challenge anyone with sight to try it.

How long do you last before fear, frustration and self doubt end your attempt to reach the top?

Forget the top, how far off the ground would you make it? Would you even tie in?

Walls don’t lie.

Foster is an Olympian.

The wall sees us both and accepts us for who we are. Quietly reminding us with each step that we are more than our disabilities. We are humans who deserve opportunities to hear our names called to compete, to stand on podiums, to turn dreams into realities.

I would be proud to have a climber as fearless and determined as Foster as a teammate.

Foster has no sight, but the wall shows the world the fearless Foster. The Foster without the disability the world notices far too little.

I want the world to see us climb together.

My silent world being shouted to decibels so high it hurts your ears.

I want the world to see Foster as a human climbing with the aid of a supportive coach and senses so tuned to texture, touch, sound and scent the wall shows him the way. The dude with sight that is a super power revealed each time he finds his next hold.

I could write a similar story about all my other teammates; Ellie, James, Terry, Aaron, Jake, Adam,Luke, Auggie, and Millius. You are already Olympians. We don’t need medals, but it would nice.

2030, you won’t be able to take your eyes off us.