A mum of two from Drumnadrochit in the Scottish Highlands has qualified for the 2024 Adaptive CrossFit Games.
Rachel Hives, who has FND (Functional Neurological Disorder), secured her place at the Games after competing against CrossFit’s adaptive athlete community in a series of qualifying events earlier this year.
The 34-year-old will now take part in the final of the Female Standing Diagnosed category at the 2024 Adaptive CrossFit Games, which takes place in San Antonio, Texas, in September.
“FND affects between 50-100,000 people living within the UK, creating problems with how the brain receives and sends information to the rest of the body,” explains Rachel.
“In my case, it causes issues with paralysis, spasms, dissociative seizures, vision, speech, sensory and cognitive function, as well as a lot of pain - when I can feel things.
“As someone who likes to be active, it is mentally challenging when these episodes occur. They can range from minutes, to months, to years. But it is so important for me to show up and keep setting an example for my kids.
“At the end of 2022, when I had a lot of muscle wastage from time in a wheelchair, I wanted to join a gym to help build my body back up and find a new focus.
“It was then that I found CrossFit. I joined CrossFit 57 North in Inverness, starting out with the basics and using a training bar as I slowly got stronger. Little did I know that CrossFit would change my life - for the better – thanks to the support and great coaching, with lots of laughs along the way!
Fast forward to 2024 and I’m still in disbelief that I’ve qualified for the Adaptive CrossFit Games – it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Rachel, who is studying for a degree in Business and Management at UHI Inverness, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with travel costs and expenses to get to the competition.
Anyone who would like to donate to Rachel’s GoFundMe campaign can do so at https://www.gofundme.com/f/getting-rachel-hives-to-the-adaptive-crossfit-games
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