Clean Water Initiatives and the Almighty Mount Kilimanjaro
How would you react if I told you that I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, while confined to a wheelchair? I wouldn’t be surprised if you doubted or even disbelieved my claim. I don’t judge or blame you for these doubts. In fact, if you’d asked me if I could accomplish such a feat 5 years ago, I would have told you that it would be impossible with my physical disability – a genetic ailment that left me with no legs below the pelvis.
But I couldn’t have been more wrong! In 2013, I joined two of my closest friends, Alex and David, and participated in a campaign to raise money for regional clean water initiatives and climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Not …show more content…
The goals or our campaign were simple – successfully climb Mount Kilimanjaro and raise over 400,000 pounds. Early in the planning stage, we decided to allocate the money we raised to clean water initiatives in East Africa- which was in the midst of a devastating drought. However, before I could even think of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, I had to find a wheelchair that could cope with rough terrain and sustained elevation. Luckily, I was able to secure a robust, manoeuvrable and lightweight Quickie wheelchair from Sunrise …show more content…
After we reached 18,000 feet, Dave and Alex began suffering from altitude sickness. I knew that I couldn’t physically help my friends so I took it upon myself to inspire and encourage them to keep going.
As we trekked higher and higher, the air continued to thin and we needed regular breaks to regather our strength. Eventually, after what felt like weeks, my friends and I made it to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Every single one of us felt tears streaming down our face – we had done it! Not only did we scale the mountain, we had managed to exceed our fundraising targets. As a result, WE.org was able to give 12,500 Kenyans access to clean drinking water.
I never intended to use my story to create some sort of inspiring parable. From the start of my journey, my goal has always been to show people that anyone can accomplish great things. No matter your background, abilities, age, sex, religion or race, every single one of us has the power to make a difference in the lives of people less fortunate than us.
About the
How would you react if I told you that I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, while confined to a wheelchair? I wouldn’t be surprised if you doubted or even disbelieved my claim. I don’t judge or blame you for these doubts. In fact, if you’d asked me if I could accomplish such a feat 5 years ago, I would have told you that it would be impossible with my physical disability – a genetic ailment that left me with no legs below the pelvis.
But I couldn’t have been more wrong! In 2013, I joined two of my closest friends, Alex and David, and participated in a campaign to raise money for regional clean water initiatives and climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Not …show more content…
The goals or our campaign were simple – successfully climb Mount Kilimanjaro and raise over 400,000 pounds. Early in the planning stage, we decided to allocate the money we raised to clean water initiatives in East Africa- which was in the midst of a devastating drought. However, before I could even think of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, I had to find a wheelchair that could cope with rough terrain and sustained elevation. Luckily, I was able to secure a robust, manoeuvrable and lightweight Quickie wheelchair from Sunrise …show more content…
After we reached 18,000 feet, Dave and Alex began suffering from altitude sickness. I knew that I couldn’t physically help my friends so I took it upon myself to inspire and encourage them to keep going.
As we trekked higher and higher, the air continued to thin and we needed regular breaks to regather our strength. Eventually, after what felt like weeks, my friends and I made it to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Every single one of us felt tears streaming down our face – we had done it! Not only did we scale the mountain, we had managed to exceed our fundraising targets. As a result, WE.org was able to give 12,500 Kenyans access to clean drinking water.
I never intended to use my story to create some sort of inspiring parable. From the start of my journey, my goal has always been to show people that anyone can accomplish great things. No matter your background, abilities, age, sex, religion or race, every single one of us has the power to make a difference in the lives of people less fortunate than us.
About the