ErikNoBarriers

Erik Weihenmayer is the only blind person to have ever climbed the Seven Summits, which means he has climbed the tallest peak on every continent. He has overcome his disability and made his life a living example that anyone can do anything they put their mind to. "In order to achieve greatness we have to square off with our own challenges." I had the opportunity to see him speak this week and was so motivated by his words.

He is a co-founder of the "No Barriers Festival," which will be held June 4-7 at Shake-a-Leg Miami. The festival is designed to help people with challenges break through their barriers and teach them new mindsets. He brings together all kids of pioneers, thinkers, researchers, analysts, humanitarians, scientists, artists, and athletes to showcase new technologies and explore possibilities. "It's for anyone who dreams big and has a sense of their life as a great adventure."

Erik refers to himself and his fellow pioneers as alchemists. They "take all the lead that life piles on top of them and turn it into gold." They "use the energy from the storm of adversity to propel them further than they would have gone." Erik describes a climber friend of his who had to have both of his legs amputated, and went on to get a Ph.D. and design synthetic legs for climbing that not only had rubber feet, but could be extended when needed (like Inspector Gadget!) With these legs, he became a better climber than he ever was before the accident.

Erik has travelled the world inspiring and motivating others to overcome their barriers and live up to their potential. He described how in Tibet people throw rocks at the blind, believing them to contain evil spirits. He showed a video where one blind Tibetan boy's mother told the camera that a serpent had cursed her son. "Without eyes a man is not complete," she said, "he used to be so smart and now his life is a waste." Erik took this boy, along with a few others, halfway up Mt. Everest teaching them that they are much more capable than they have been raised to believe.

The No Barriers Festival is still looking for volunteers, so if you are interested, contact volunteers@shakealegmiami.org
To learn more about Erik check out touchthetop.com
Info about the No Barriers festival can be found at nobarriersusa.org

-by Debbie Attias

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• No Barriers
• Erik Weihenmayer
• blindness
• Mt. Everest
• seven summits
• disabilities

[starofkevin]

what thought you was gonna do inspector gadget!!!