Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, is a wheelchair-bound adventure, as trekking is a challenge for those who specialize in hiking.
Martin Hebert’s effort has stunned many, as 65 percent of mountaineers who set out to reach Kilimanjaro make it to the summit.
Martin, 45, was the victim of a bombing 5 years ago. A bomb blast near the British city of Manchester has killed at least 22 people. More than 100 people were injured. Martin is one of them. Martin’s spinal cord was severely damaged during the blast. The areas below the waist were paralyzed. Suffered a stroke.
He was branded as unable to walk anymore. He was treated in a hospital bed. But he did not give up. Accompanied by a wheelchair companion, he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro today. At 5,895 meters, he climbed the peak with the help of his assistants and local guides.
He also holds the record for the second person to climb such a high peak among stroke victims. He has chosen this trip for the purpose of raising funds for an organization that cares for people suffering from spinal cord injury.
The boom that reached Mount Kilimanjaro was revealed in the video he recorded and released. ” Behold, we are at the top of Kilimanjaro. Five years ago, I was in the hospital. I could not even move. But five years later it is a wonderful feeling to be standing on top of Kilimanjaro now. Dream. Trust it. Be determined to achieve. This is what I want to tell people. I am very proud to have achieved this feat as a paralyzed person. ”