Life is so short. In many ways it is cruel. All too often it is only when we are faced with our imminent demise do we suddenly wake up and start to appreciate the true joy of living and experiencing everything that our beautiful planet has to offer. Lori Schneider is an inspirational mountaineer who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis but didnt let it get in the way of her dream to climb the 7 summits. As she describes on her blog living and working with MS is a huge challenge but she pushes on and good for her.
I hope you enjoy this inspirational MS video – Please take a moment to comment afterwards and give your thoughts on her journey of empowerment whilst dealing with MS.
For more information on Lori Schneider and to read more about her incredible climbing achievements while living with multiple sclerosis please visit her website www.empowermentthroughadventure.com
Credits for the images used in this movie about dealing with multiple sclerosis and overcoming our limitations belong to Lori Schneider.
Please support CrazyJourneys.com by taking a moment to comment on this inspirational living with MS film and also tweet or share it. Help Luke to spread the word. The buttons are below:
A big thank you to Zoe Flanagan. An American friend who I climb with in London who emailed with the details of this inspirational story.
Please, don’t misunderstand me. I am not a bitter old person. I just get sick of hearing about people with MS doing incredible things, although I admit it is pretty incredible for ANYONE to do what she did. I have had MS for over 15 years. I can barely get out of bed to start my day. I become tired by THINKING too hard, let alone walking across a parking lot (when I have the strength to walk). Just going about my disabled, social-security infused, heavily medicated day takes all of my energy (and most of my family’s). I wish the stories like the one shown here (and the one about the race car driver on the cover of the MS Newsletter a few years back) would have a disclaimer that all those with MS have different symptoms, and those that are severely effected by this horrible disease need help, not stories about those that have a MILD case of the disease can climb mountains. So please give to your favorite charity to help cure this crummy disease.
This is an inspiring story for me. I have cared for my wife who has MS for 20 years. I empathise with Bob’s feelings above. I too think anybody climbing Mt Everest is inspiring to me, never mind someone with MS (albeit clearly a very mild form. Some people with MS don’t even know they have it! It can go undiscovered till they die.)
And Bob is right about another thing, let this story motivate you to donate either your time or money to an MS charity, it is sorely needed.
Bob I wish you well my friend.
Luke I appreciate you putting this story here. It is inspiring.
Warm Regards,
Gavin
This is Lori Schneider, the mountain climber with MS. I am writing to say thank you to the people who commented above. I think people need to know of ALL the differences that people with MS experience. I know that at this point I am so lucky with my MS. I did not think so that terrifying morning I woke up with a body half numb, back in 1999. I also did not think so when I started to loose my vision back in 2006. MS can be so scary, because none of us know when the other shoe will drop. I can only say that I have been inspired a thousand times over by the courage shown by so many with MS, who struggle just to climb a flight of stairs. THAT is their Everest. Their mountains are just as difficult and take a lifetime of struggle & courage. Thanks to you, for reminding people that MS varies from person to person, but also from year to year in all of us who live with the uncertainty of MS. More power to you and all those who struggle with their MS daily. -Lori Schneider
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” -Sir Edmund Hillary
I am living with MS and am so inspired by Lori’s story. I CRAVE these stories as they are the ones that can change the face of this disease. I have committed to donate $1,000,000 to the Myelin Repair Foundation through the sales of fine art photography of bikes, boards and boats. We need a CURE for MS so this disease cannot limit anyone, in any capacity, anymore.
Lori – you are right, we each have our own mountain….MS or not!