SeeKiliOurWay - Foundation for Blind Children

Photos from Airport Homecoming

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:27:00 -0700

Friends and family waiting for Team Kili with lots of creative posters!

A huge banner to welcome the team displayed "Team Kili Rock'd it to the Top!"

Members of Team Kili arriving at Sky Harbor

Tom Hicks being interviewed by the media

Kili Coverage in Arizona Republic

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 3 Aug 2009 09:43:00 -0700

Kilimanjaro hikers show that visually impaired are independent
by Eddi Trevizo - Jul. 27, 2009 09:05 AM
The Arizona Republic

Cindy Wilhelmi and Adam Messler reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in late June, trumping a lifetime of disability.

Wilhelmi, 49, a Glendale resident, and Messler, 29, both legally blind, observed what they could of the famed Tanzanian mountain's scenery from an elevation of 19,340 feet, amidst a flurry of flashing cameras, tears and hugs.

The two were among a group of eight blind climbers, along with 17 sighted guides, who hoped to raise funds and awareness for the Foundation for Blind Children in Phoenix. The group raised over $200,000 through fundraisers to benefit the foundation's infant care program, which provides teaching skills and assistance to families raising visually impaired infants.
The group also wanted to show the potential and independence visually impaired people can achieve with the help of agencies like the foundation.

Messler said people sometimes refused to sponsor or help the group because they felt blind people couldn't hike.

"Blindness isn't a disability - it's just an inconvenience," Wilhelmi said.

Wilhelmi has only limited peripheral vision and struggles to discern detail. Messler has albinism and suffers from sensitivity to the light, nearsightedness and farsightedness, involuntary movement of the eyes and an underdeveloped macula, which prevents him from seeing details.

Despite their visual impairment, the hikers embarked on a rigorous, year-long practice routine to prepare for Kilimanjaro.

"We did the Seven Summits of Phoenix . . . with a lot of difficulty," said Marc Ashton, chief executive officer of the Foundation for Blind Children.

Along with sighted companions, the hikers practiced guiding techniques, such as ringing bells, following the scraping of trekking poles, and holding onto a guide's backpack.

Many of the blind climbers had no previous hiking experience, and the guides, mostly volunteers, didn't know how to guide a blind person.

"When we first started (training) . . . there were lots of falls and bloodied and bruised shins," said Pam Stelzer, Wilhelmi's guide.

The group reached Kilimanjaro's summit on June 29 about 8 a.m. after seven days of hiking.

"When I got there, I just dropped my pole and fell onto a rock, and felt a tear come up," Messler said.

Messler and Wilhelmi said wintry climates, high altitude and difficulty breathing often tempted them to quit.

"Then I would think (to myself), 'I chose to climb this mountain, but a lot of parents (have) to climb a harder mountain,' " Wilhelmi said of people faced with the challenge of raising blind infants.

Messler pushed himself to continue and prove that a blind person can accomplish the same goals as a sighted person.

"When I thought about quitting, I would think about the families that needed my help," Messler said.

The pair hopes the Kilimanjaro trek will help people understand that the visually impaired community is just as resourceful and efficient as those with full vision.

"If they are trained correctly, they can do anything correctly. Anything is possible, but some people don't want to spend the extra money it takes to help," Messler said.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/westvalley/articles/2009/07/27/20090727gl-nwvkiliexpedition0725.html

NBC Nightly News Video

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:50:00 -0700

View the link to watch the video of Friday's news coverage: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/32132694#32132694

Team Kili on NBC Nightly News TONIGHT!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:38:00 -0700

Tune in tonight at 5:30pm to watch the Team Kili story on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams!

Arizona Republic Article

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:34:00 -0700

Check out the article from the Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/07/21/20090721phx-blind0722.html

Kili Memories from Greg DePinto

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:53:00 -0700

First off thank you for your support and donations to The Foundation for Blind Children Summit of Kilimanjaro. As you may know by now the entire team of 25 made it to the top, 19,340 feet June 29th 2009. We were heavily doubted and to be honest an attempt with a team of this size has limited odds of achieving summit, even SIGHTED. For me the last 3 miles, over 3000 feet of elevation gain, and 6.5 hours later was an undertaking I never imagined. There were times following Mike Armstrong (BLIND) and group, that I could not believe someone would throw in the towel; this kept me mentally in the game.

In many words we tried to put the last leg into perspective, unfortunately they’re words I cannot share. For me I was so far out of breath I thought I would pass out time after time after time and still had hours left to climb. I can’t count how many times this happened, the look on my face tells it all (Left Blue Coat). I was truly encouraged by my supporters and blind team mates that allowed me to reach deep and BRING IT….Thank you.

So many great memories from 30hrs of one way flights to our community service day at the Mwereni Integrated School for the Blind, 6 days up the mountain and 2 days to reach the finish line. Our team was incredible. The 74 Porters led by Nixon are the hardest working people I’ve ever encountered and to Kevin Cherilla or Expedition Leader from KC Summits.com was instrumental in getting us all to the top. His crew which included Kristi Samson who flew in from London was an amazing support system. Hat’s off to the KC Summits Team.

Our climb has reached national attention, last week we were interviewed by NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. We raised over $200,000 for The Foundation which will put 52 babies through the infant program next year. What an amazing task and worth every effort. I can say I’m glad to have my life back BUT I will miss my 24 new Friends. So to them I say what’s next?

Cheers and thank you all…..

Greg DePinto

Memorable Moment from Tanner Robinson

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:33:00 -0700

"During this climb, there were several moments of great importance to me personally, but only one truly touched me. After we reached the Lava Tower, the climb started to get interesting with the Barranco Wall the next day. Pat was feeling very much under the weather, and just having a tough time. The wall was one of my favorite parts of the mountain, because I could climb it myself, and touch the wall itself. When we reached the top, the view and sense of accomplishment was amazing. I could clearly see our destination, the 19340 Uhuru Peak that towered over us. The camp where we'd spend the night before could also be seen. There was a lone tent at the bottom. Pat had stayed behind to rest. When he stepped out of the tent, all of us at the top of the wall began to cheer, shouting encouragements and calling out his name. Our voices echoed off the mountains and he later told us he heard us from the top, and it even brought tears to his eyes. I think this is a favorite moment for many of us. It just showed how strong our bonds and connections to each other truly were. To me, the summit was just a bonus, compared to getting to know the team, and to feel the sense of support and just how much we meant to each other on the mountain, and even now. At that moment, I was truly honored to be a part of what we'd started, and had no further doubt about whether we would reach our goal."
-Tanner Robinson

Team Kili Featured on MSNBC Homepage

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:35:00 -0700

View link to view the video of Team Kili on the homepage of msnbc.com: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/31851025#31851025

Team Kili on Channel 12 News

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:04:00 -0700

Click here to watch the video featured on Channel 12 News: http://www.azcentral.com/video/?type=mavenfull&id=12newshomepage&videoID=1176666095

Team Kili featured on The Adventure Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Click here to read The Adventure Blog:
http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/blind-kids-summit-kilimanjaro.html

SeeKiliOurWay Coverage from John Schiebe's Hometown

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:48:00 -0700

View the link to read an article from John Schiebe's hometown newspaper, The Cannon Falls Beacon:
http://www.cannonfalls.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=17385&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&S=1

Team Kili Featured in Backpacker Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 9 Jul 2009 15:41:00 -0700

Click here to read: http://www.backpacker.com/blind_climber_kilimanjaro/blogs/daily_dirt/1147

Team Kili on Channel 12

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 9 Jul 2009 14:37:00 -0700

Tune in to Channel 12 today at 4:30 and 6pm to view a news story featuring Team Kili. Link to be posted as soon as it becomes available!

Team Kili on Good Morning Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 7 Jul 2009 09:28:00 -0700

Check out the LIVE interview with Team Kili on Good Morning Arizona:

http://www.azfamily.com/video/gmaz-index.html?nvid=377860

Freeze a Moment in Time

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 7 Jul 2009 09:22:00 -0700

Each climber has been encouraged to share sentimental moments from the Kilimanjaro trip. Read the uplifting experiences from Kevin Cherilla and Tom Hicks:

On the fifth morning as we pulled out of Barranco Camp, I knew we had an exciting day ahead of us on THE BARRANCO WALL! I knew I was going to see team work at its finest as we headed up the steepest, most exposed, lower half of the wall. Just as I thought, the team work was incredible. Everyone helped each other up and over the tricky rocks, passed poles, lended a hand or wrist on many occasions, assisted members of other teams and porters with large bags balancing on their heads, spotted in the death fall sections, etc., etc. It was absolutely incredible! Finally, as we all passed the tough lower section for our first water break and shed down, in unison the 24 of us erupted in ovation as Patrick emerged from his tent. It sounded like we were at a Suns game cheering on a game winning shot. The way our voices echoed down the valley pass the beautiful waterfalls we visited the day before, was so uplifting for Patrick as he sat outside his tent and for all of us. Then, several hours later as we sat at the top of the wall having a snack, up pops Patrick! He left and hour and half after us and caught up at a great time to join our team. It was a big turning point and momentum creator as we headed to the final days of the climb. - Cheers, Kevin

I was encouraged by Mike and Pat as they never gave up even while being violently sick. They inspired me to keep driving on and to stay the hell away from them. For obvious reasons I do not have a visual moment in time. What I have are profound feelings of being a part of something great. I felt from the beginning this quest to stand together on top of Kilimanjaro was blessed. I completely trusted our leadership and believed in my heart we would overcome all obstacles together. While making our trek up the mighty Kilimanjaro I tried to enjoy every moment. I was always listening to our conversations, jokes, and harassment of one another. I felt like we were unstoppable after we scaled the Bronco Wall. I felt at times like we were a well oiled machine in perfect rhythm. I remember the smells and sounds of the Rain forest and the effort it took to breathe at the 15000 feet Lava Tower and the freezing night's cold air. I remember the winds on Kosovo and the anxiety I felt in anticipation of our run for the summit. I did not sleep. I just tossed and turned until it was 0115 hours and time to layer up for our climb. I remember hearing each of us struggle and overcome the steep switchbacks that never seemed to end on our way to Stella Point. I remember losing the feelings in my fingers from the cold. I remember pressure breathing with each step to prevent passing out. During the entire journey I have often been overcome with emotions as I listened to Grahame and Kristy describe everything to me. I recall thinking how all our sighted teammates are completely unselfish as they described with every breath the terrain and obstacles ahead of each blind climber. Over and over again I thought we are an incredible team and I am so proud of everyone. Together we struggled, together we achieved, and together we made a real difference! Our association with FBC gave us purpose and the mission and vision was so great that none of us could fail. I believe our blindness gave us determination and strong will to overcome every fear! We were destined to stand together on top of the great Kilimanjaro and all we had to do was try. I'll never forget every moment. Grahame and Kristy would describe incredible blue skies and the snow topped Kili to me. I once asked Kirsty to point my finger toward the summit of Kili and we were already at 15000 feet, but she kept raising my arm until my finger felt like it was pointing straight up. I thought, "Damn this is a huge mountain." I'll never forget running down the scree field with peter on my left and Mogombo on my right. What a sight that must of been. If you ever get a chance to run down a mountain I recommend both Peter and Mogombo as your escorts. I will never forget how I felt as we reached the 19340 feet summit sign. We did it! We overcame blindness and the mountain! In the end blindness was no excuse to fail because that'd be too easy and Team kili doesn't believe in easy! I have a great respect for all of you and each of you have made me happy! Like my Aunty Patrice would say, "Life is good!" - Sincerely, Tom

Because it's there...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 6 Jul 2009 16:11:00 -0700

Well, folks, we made it! 25 out of 25 of our team made it to Kilimanjaro’s 19,340 feet. Not only did we make it, we made it together as a team. Our Tanzanian guide, Nickson, was amazed and said in his 200+ ascents, rarely does the whole team make it to the top together. I can only attribute our success to our team’s common goal: to stand at the top of Africa together. It was a daunting task as several of our teammates fought intestinal bacteria, altitude sickness and near frostbite. I struggled for every breath after 18,000 feet, as did others, but I did not want to let my team down. I knew my failure would be theirs. I saw such incredible giving as sighted guides continued to call out the trail to their blind climbers even as they gasped for their own breath; guides picked up climbers’ packs and sang us to the top with their Swahili chants; teammates, so desperate for the top, descended to escort those falling behind.

I learned something on Kili: No one walks through life alone. Whether it is a spouse, a parent, a friend, a teacher, or a stranger, we all need someone, sometime. And having 24 incredible teammates to walk this special path with, I am grateful.

We are going to meet Tanner Robinson, our last blind climber at Sky Harbor tonight at 6:54 US Airways flight #77 if you’d like to join us.

You can see the incredible photos on our blog and we will have video and additional information very soon.

Watch us tomorrow morning on Channel 3 at 7:40.

More to come.

Marc Ashton

Team Kili on Good Morning Arizona Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 6 Jul 2009 14:48:00 -0700

Tune in to Good Morning Arizona (KTVK Channel 3) at 7:40am to see the LIVE interview with Team Kili. A link to the video will be posted as soon as it is available.

Photos from Kili

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 6 Jul 2009 14:04:00 -0700

Click photos to view full size images:

Photos from Kili

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 6 Jul 2009 14:02:00 -0700

Click photos to view full size images:

Photos from Kili

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 6 Jul 2009 11:07:00 -0700

Click photos to view a larger image:

News Coverage from ABC 15

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 3 Jul 2009 09:19:00 -0700

Click the link below to view the news story featured on ABC 15 about the airport homecoming of Team Kili:

http://www.abc15.com/content/news/webxtra/story/Blind-climbers-return-to-Valley-after-conquering/PUE7EH4Gu0qKa9JFPzjrsw.cspx

Welcome home!

Team Kili Homecoming

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:07:00 -0700

Team Kili arrived safely this afternoon at Sky Harbor, greeted by family and friends with banners and posters celebrating their success! Tune in tonight to view news coverage of the homecoming on Channels 5, 10 and 15. Welcome Home!

Photos of Team Kili from the Summit

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:20:00 -0700

Having a little fun at the Summit!

Showing the world the Largest Group of Blind Climbers is from Arizona.

All 25 Team Kili Members at the Summit with the World Record Banners.

Team Kili on Good Morning Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 1 Jul 2009 08:40:00 -0700

Click the link below to view a live SKYPE segment with Marc Ashton and Tom Hicks:

http://www.azfamily.com/video/gmaz-index.html?nvid=376305&shu=1

Several Team Kili members will be arriving at Sky Harbor on Thursday, July 2. Join us at the airport to welcome them home and celebrate their success at Mt. Kilimanjaro!

Details:
Sky Harbor Airport
3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Terminal 4, Gates A & B
US Airways – Flight #644
Arrival time: 3:41pm

Because the arrival gate is tentative, please check the arrival screens to determine where to meet.

Special thanks to the SHARP summer program students who have been working hard making posters for us to hold when they arrive!

Hope to see you there.

Update from Team Kili - June 29

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:49:00 -0700

This update comes from Marc Ashton:

All 25 team members made it to the top!!!!! (Cheering could be heard in the voicemail). It was an incredible experience to see the celebration at the top! News of the summit traveled fast, everyone at the bottom of Mt. Kilimanjaro knew about the summit very quickly because of the unique circumstances of Team Kili. 1. It is unusual that every team member made it to the top. 2. It is unusual that children made it to the top. 3. It is unusual that blind climbers made it to the top. But we, at FBC, know that our blind and visually impaired clients can do ANYTHING they put their mind to!

Team Kili started the hike to the summit at 2am and made it to the top at 9am. They took photos and took in the surroundings and view. There were tears, cheers, and many great moments. Not to mention, breaking TWO world records! Largest group of blind climbers to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro and Youngest blind climber to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro, Max Ashton!

Everyone is exhausted, but in good spirits. After their time at the top, they descended 2 hours back to the Millenium Campsite, where they will have a good meal and a long time of rest.

The team wants to thank everyone for believing in them and for their support!