When Ralph first mentioned to me that he was putting together a trip to Machu Picchu, Peru in 2008, I couldn’t wait to do it, I was excited at the idea and all in.
Well, almost…
5 minutes later my brain started trying to figure out how I was going to do it, how to raise the money, afford the gear and the flight, etc. and it tried very hard to take me out of the game. Have you ever had those questioning voices in your head?
What kept me in and had me participate in MS Climb 2008 was three things;
- the opportunity to travel to Peru and visit Machu Picchu, a long-time dream,
- to do the trip in a team and community environment with 23 other folks,
- to achieve it while raising money for a very worthy cause like Multiple Sclerosis Research
The clincher was to be able to make a difference for people whose health might prohibit them from achieving some of their dreams. When I let go of my doubts and needing to know how and just committed, well the adventure began in that moment.
The whole experience, the fundraising, the group get-togethers, going to other people’s fundraisers, the accomplishment of collectively raising over $150,000 that first year, and of course the expedition itself to Peru (so much more than just Machu Picchu) truly was exhilarating, and I will say an experience of a lifetime. There truly exists today a special bond between each of us from the team in 2008, like family.
I remain involved today as MS “ground support” participating wherever I am needed because what I want is for people, for my friends, for other adventurers, to have this opportunity, to raise funds for MS research, to come together as a community of caring people, and to truly have a life changing experience, or set of experiences, from beginning to end. That’s how it was for me, and what is available to everybody that takes this on; to have a life altering experience while making a difference in the world.”
