Inspiration

Why climb Mt. Kilimanjaro? I was inspired back in 2013 by Paralympian, Chris Waddell who journeyed to Africa to become the first parapalegic to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro unassisted. Chris spoke at a BP event on March 20, 2013 and told of his incredible ascent up Mt. Kilimanjaro. Read more about Chris and his One Revolution Foundation – http://one-revolution.org/the-film/

1 Revolution cinematically captures Chris Waddell’s very human journey to dare greatly and ultimately to live fully. This film chronicles the heart and spirit behind an extraordinary achievement as it documents the first almost entirely unassisted paraplegic ascent of 19,340-foot Mt. Kilimanjaro.

1 Revolution opens as dawn breaks atop Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Briefly, glimpses of the mountain frame Chris Waddell as he transfers to his specially designed handcycle. The air is tense as Chris begins the fifth day of his ascent. Etched within every movement he makes is the weighty knowledge that this may be his one chance to have the world see people like himself not as something less, but equals and possibly as something more–as someone with something significant to contribute. If he makes the summit the world may understand his message; if he fails, he may be just another guy in a wheelchair.

I was lucky enough to meet Chris in person in May 2015, when he came to our BP office to speak at our Toastmasters meeting, once again inspiring people to step outside of their comfort zone, sharing some of his strategies in public speaking.  At that time I let him know I would be climbing Kilimanjaro, hoping to follow his lead to the summit.