National Ability Center

**Warning - Fun activity and long post**
This weekend, we had a fun opportunity to go to the National Ability Center with Clara's Deaf/Blind support group. We all had a great time with the many activities they had for us.

Our first activity was on trust. We all stood in a circle with our hands out in front of us while one person in the center would let himself fall. We would push him different directions. He was supposed to put all his weight into the circle and be totally trusting. It is much harder than it sounds. Makayla wouldn't go by herself, so I held her on my turn. That made it more difficult with my center off. Austin said he favorite thing was getting to "push everyone around."

Next, we did was the low ropes course. They had a swaying bridge and then a wire with a tarp around it (the tarp was just for help in case you fell. You had to walk on the wire). We were all told to challenge ourselves on this course. Makayla went first and she went with her eyes closed. She was awesome! Me and Clara went next. My challenge was holding Clara up and her challenge was walking on the wire. She was fast at that. Her spotters were having a hard time keeping up with her. Kristine (my sister), also chose to do the course with her eyes closed. She did a great job. Austin did the course with his eyes closed and hopping on one foot. The bridge was OK, but the wire was really feeling it with the weight of his hops.

Our next spot was the large ropes course. This was probably the favorite activity of the morning. Clara went first. She was put into a harness and then into a swing and pulled to a pole that was probably 25 feet off the ground. The person at the top took her out of the swing and helped her to walk on the beam. She was loving it! When it was time to come down, they lowered her without the support of the swing. That was the best to see, and my batteries in my camera died at that moment, so I didn't get a picture. One of the helpers there took pictures and is supposed to be sending them to me. She was in heaven with that freedom! Austin and Makayla climbed a cargo net and then at the top, there was a 4x4 with the hand/footholds that are found on a rock wall. Makayla climbed all the way to the top of that. She has no fears, especially if it is something that her dad is doing with her.

Lunch was provided for us, and after lunch was free time to revisit any of the activities, and they also opened up their rock wall. Makayla climbed the rock wall 3 times and would have done more, if we would have stayed longer. She was the fastest climber. Austin climbed the most challenging portion of the wall. I tried it, but only got 3/4 of the way to the top and got dizzy. I did have fun though. Krissy tried as well. She got about 1/3 of the way on a harder spot. Her arms were tired by the time we left.

We also revisited the large ropes course. Makayla tried to climb a pole with metal pieces sticking out of it. She had a hard time because they were spread out too far. Austin climbed a pole and walked across a wire. I just watched them all and took care of the babies on the ground. Holden was having a great time playing in the dirt and getting messy. We had a great time at this awesome activity!