Spencer West, born with a rare genetic spinal disorder called sacral agenesis, had his legs amputated when he was just five. Doctors told his parents that he “would never do much with his life.”
West, 31 and a successful motivational speaker and activist based out of Toronto, Canada, has continued to defy their prediction.
This week, the double amputee proved the doctors wrong yet again when he summited Mount Kilimanjaro — on his hands, CTV reports.
In his blog, West — who had been on his hands for 80 per cent of the journey to the peak of Africa’s highest mountain — described his triumphant finish:
The moment the summit was within sight…it was incredible. We looked around…and realized that, after seven grueling days of relentless climbing, after 20,000 feet of our blood, sweat and tears (and, let’s face it, vomit) we had actually made it. We were at the top. The summit sign seemed almost like a mirage.
Then it sunk in. We made it. To the top of the mountain. The mountain that I promised to the world I would climb. The bleeding fingers and blisters were all worth it.
According to the Toronto Star, about 10 hikers die annually on the mountain and roughly 1,000 need to be evacuated
West, who is originally from Wyoming, said that he hopes his successful climb to the deadly peak — part of his “Redefine Possible” campaign — will inspire others to believe that nothing is insurmountable.
“By the time I got to the top my hands were numb, my elbows were sore, my shoulders were sore — but there’s something to be said about determination and trying to reach your goal,” he said.
West’s climb was also part of his fundraising campaign for Free the Children’s sustainable water initiative in Kenya. West told CTV that they have already raised $500,000 of their $750,000 goal.
Culled: huffingtonpost
The saying goes: There is ability in disability.