“Without friendship, a human being is lost.
A friend is someone who reminds you to feel alive.”
Eddie Jaku
Angel and Mak light up when they hear each other’s names. Their smiles broaden and eyes open wide when they talk about being climbing partners, jubilant rivals, connoisseurs of the art of flirtation and best friends. They met through Catalyst Sports.
Angel is an IT specialist, climber and people person. He sees through a lens of possibility and potential and has never met a stranger. His mantra is “stop stopping.” Angel says, “Rather than focusing on what I can’t do, I focus on what I CAN do. My difficulty has allowed me to live.” Angel has cerebral palsy.
Mak is fiercely competitive, he participates in hand cycle races, wheelchair soccer and racing and hopes to compete in climbing one day. He suffered a brain injury due to a rare congenital brain disease in 2018 which limits the use of his legs and arms and causes difficulty with speech.
As a duo, Mak and Angel prefer challenge over comfort and the power of community over isolation. Angel said, “Catalyst provided an opportunity to climb a different kind of hill and face challenges alongside a competitive and supportive community. Even though something is difficult, it doesn’t have to be impossible.”
Because of Catalyst, Angel and Mak challenge each other to climb higher. They replace loneliness with connection. Because of Catalyst, they are life-long friends.
Due to a lack of in-person socialization, isolation and loneliness are at record high levels. Now is the time to create lasting bonds like the one Angel and Mak have.
(P.S. Receive a Catalyst Sports beanie when you donate $100 or more!)
Listen to what Angel has to say about his experience with Catalyst Sports: