"Laura's Kilimanjaro Challenge in aid of the Limbless Association and Limbcare"

                                                                  7^th – 19^th September 2010

I have learned, as a rule of thumb, never to ask whether you can do something.  Say, instead, that you are doing it.  Then fasten your seat belt.  The most remarkable things follow.    Eugene Delacroix 

 

 

 

 

I have very much enjoyed working as a physiotherapist with amputees in London for 15 years, helping them to return to independence and achieving their goals.  I like to take up challenges in life.  These have included an 8 1/2 month trans-Africa journey overland, a tandem sky dive, bunjee jumping and white water rafting on the mighty Zambezi!   I have been very fortunate in my work to meet some truly inspirational and wonderful people overcoming a great life change and adjusting to limb loss.  Setting my own personal goal, this year, I feel privileged to support and accompany Ray Edwards, a quad amputee in the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa in aid of The Limbless Association. In 1987 Ray lost both his legs below the knee and both his arms below the elbow. He is an inspirational man and it was meeting him in December 2009 which has led me to join the Kili challenge...   Ray will be climbing Kilimanjaro with a party of up to 25 people, which includes other amputees, physiotherapists, prosthetists and other health care professionals. Ray will be the first civilian, non-mountaineer quad amputee  to climb Kilimanjaro. He also works passionately for Limbcare and provides inspiration to amputees worldwide.

 

The Limbless Association  works to help facilitate a better life for amputees. They provide support and advice to amputees and their families and provide a network from which they can exchange information and experiences. The funds generated by this challenge will go towards the development of the LA’s Professional and Specialist Amputee Counselling Service, Dedicated Complaints and Advocacy Service, Parliamentary and Campaigns Department, LA Handbook and Educational  DVD, Sport and Fitness, Education, Training, Sponsorships, Scholarships and the Limb Loss User Group Network,  Research and Development.

 

The Limbless Association Kilimanjaro Climb itinerary can be found on the website:

 

http://www.charitychallenge.com/cc/charitychallenge/expedition_details.jsp?id=1209

If you want to have a look a website about our fund raise and Kilimanjaro climb has been set up and the web site address is:

www.amputee-adventures.org

 

With days and days, hours and hours of hiking and a summit of 5,895 metres, no doubt this will be the hardest physical and mental challenge I have undertaken in life so far! Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I am sure you agree this is a worthwhile cause. Please help us achieve this fantastic challenge in aid of the Limbless Association  – each individual taking up the challenge needs to raise  £4000.00. When you have the option please do spread the word through facebook, I would be hugely grateful!

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving- they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 

So please dig deep and donate now! Every penny counts....Thanks.

So as the year comes to an end I can proudly report that I have managed to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro!  It was without doubt the hardest thing I have ever done ~ a real life challenge.  Needless to say it was an amazing experience and 2 of the amputees in the group made it to the summit of nearly 6,000m and the lovely Helen summited on crutches!  It took me some time to acclimatise back to normal life again.  

Laura xx