When one of the students looked at the high wall in front of her, she knew that she didn't have to climb to the top. Just part of the way. She knew, that the wall was a training exercise, too, so that she would be able to join the other Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD) students to go on an Outward Bound expedition in the Rocky Mountains.

The student didn't hesitate for long.

"I quit," she said.

And she left.

"But she was back the next day," said Tim Burdsall, the ISD middle school teacher who organized the expedition.

While her mother and Burdsall watched, the student finally tried to climb the wall. She moved upward carefully and slowly. At 20 feet, she lost her grip and fell. Her safety harness held her suspended in the air. Then the student placed her feet back on the footholds and made her way safely down the wall.

"We thought she might quit for good when that happened," said Burdsall.

Instead the fall--and the safety harness--empowered her.

She climbed the wall again and again, advancing a little farther each time.

"By the time we were ready to leave she'd almost reached the top," said Burdsall.

The students—Emily Schultz, Tiffany Bohannon, Kortney Chew, Tony Moore Chris Charles, and Jason Fitzgerald—left for 0utward Bound in July.

Instead of a wall, they would face a 75-foot cliff and use their rock climbing skills. Then they would climb to the summit of the 13,000-foot peak before returning to their alpine camp.

"All safe," assured Burdsall, noting that the students would be in safety harnesses and helmets.

The trip would end with each student facing nature alone for 24 hours, an undertaking that helps them develop leadership skills

"We're ready to go!" said Burdsall.