Photography: Robert Trathen.
There are days when Rachel Māia feels euphoric – alive after reaching the top of a challenging climbing wall. Then there are days when the 43-year-old rocks back and forth on her bathroom floor, crying through “extraordinary” pain.
Right now, New Zealand’s top para climber is somewhere between these extremes – recovering from her 22nd operation and dreaming of scaling the heights at the Los Angeles Paralympic Games in 2028. A below-the-knee amputee, Rachel’s constantly managing the physical and mental fallout of chronic pain, an ongoing consequence of a climbing accident in her teens, where she broke both ankles.
But climbing is “life-giving” for the mum of three, who has set her sights on competing when para climbing makes its Paralympics debut in LA.
“When you climb, you’re regulating your breath and you’re problem solving,” she says.
“It’s a place where I feel safe, my pain is quieter and there’s more light in my day.”
When Woman’s Day catches up with Rachel, she’s at home in Whanganui, mending following surgery on her right ankle 26 years after that bouldering accident at a school climbing competition changed her life.
The decision that changed her life
After nine operations on her severely damaged left ankle, Rachel chose to have her leg amputated below the knee in 2019, knowing a prosthetic would increase her mobility so she could better take care of her kids. But in recent years, her right leg has worsened.
“That leg is my strength,” Rachel explains.
“I crawl to the toilet at night and boost up on my leg to get on the seat. I can’t use my crutches because I’ve taken medication to help me sleep and the wheelchair is awkward in the bathroom. That’s one small piece of everyday living that puts extra wear and tear on the ankle.”
Rachel’s just had steroid injections, so she can continue to rehab her ankle and return to the climbing wall.
“I’m taking things day by day, but using the time to lay the foundation for the next two years,” she says.
“I have every belief I’ll be back climbing and competing this year, and continue my journey to LA.”
Getting the support she needs
As a single mum, Rachel’s also fought to secure the support she needs at home. After a two-year battle with ACC, she now has a caregiver to help with her 21-year-old daughter, who has a rare neurodevelopmental disorder.
“She’s a super-powered kid who brings such a light to this world,” smiles Rachel.
She’s also been able to do renovations to make their home wheelchair accessible.
“I can cook for my family now without falling into the oven and burning my arms,” she laughs.
“As a mum, it’s part of my identity to put a meal on the table.”
Sharing the journey with her proudest fan
With no climbing wall near home, Rachel makes a four-hour round trip driving to either Wellington or Turangi to train. She also has to find her own funds to cover competitions and coaching. While she usually travels alone to competitions overseas, her 15-year-old son was with her in Korea last year for the world champs.
“He worked hard to pay his way there,” she says.
“I’m so proud of him. It was nice for him to see who I am outside our house – to see mum as an athlete.”
Despite an injury to her little finger, Rachel placed eighth.
“I went into the competition with different expectations – looking to fine-tune my process and my confidence in who I am. So I chose gratitude, knowing even when I’m not at my best, I can still do this.”
Heading to the Paralympics
She’s now fundraising to compete in Japan and Korea later this year, which will help her qualify for the Paralympics.
“Climbing NZ doesn’t have the resources to support me, but the climbing community has held me through so much. They’re proud of their athletes – it’s a vibrant, loving family. I really want to get to LA and pave the way. I’d love to make a little piece of history for New Zealand.”
Rachel hopes people will see her for the “very real, sometimes dysfunctional, broken, challenged human” who does what she can each day as a mother and elite athlete.
“I’m giving myself the grace to rest when I need to or push hard when I can,” she says.
“I hope people who are struggling are encouraged to do one more day, then one more. “My biggest achievement will always be that I’m still here. Life isn’t measured by a list of our hardships, it’s by all the little colourful things in between – and our capacity to colour in the ordinary.”
To help her compete in this year’s competitions, search “Rachel Māia” on givealittle.co.nz.
