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The Erik Weihenmayer Story
On May 25, 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind man in history to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Seven years later, on August 20, 2008, Erik joined the elite ranks of those who have climbed the Seven Summits—the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. Fewer than 100 mountaineers, sighted or blind, can claim this honor.
Consider the words of Don Schoendorfer, President and CEO of the Free Wheelchair Mission: “I used to think that I would make sure my family was all settled then I would give back in a big way, now I know that thinking is wrong.” Who is Don you might ask? This is his story:
Don Schoendorfer is an unassuming suburban engineer from Irvine, California, who had an idea for a low-cost wheelchair and built one in his garage. He had been shaken by what he had seen on a trip to Morocco with his wife in the 1970s, where they encountered a disabled woman who was unable to walk, literally crawling across the street on all fours. She would be the first of thousands Don would notice around the world who had no hope of a standard wheelchair, which in the U.S. can cost up to $1,000. His idea was to build a cheap, easy-to-repair wheelchair out of Huffy bicycle tires and the standard-issue white plastic lawn chair. As of this writing, his experiment has lifted over 636,405 of the world’s poorest people from a life in the dirt to one of dignity.
“There is no excuse in the world that can stop a will to succeed.”
– Dr Marcus Dayhoff
“The purpose of life is not to be comfortable or safe. Quietly, respectfully, leave these pursuits to others. You were born to burn brighter and more dangerously.”
-Dr Bill Dyment
“There is nothing wrong with dedication and goals, but if you focus on yourself, all the lights fade away and you become a fleeting moment in life.” –Pete Maravich
Fire Your Excuses™ is delighted to be able to support World Vision’s Well Projects by donating 10% of all gross income to assist the people of Malawi, Africa, with clean water. When you enroll in a Fire Your Excuses™ coaching program, attend one of our seminars, or order our book, you are also giving the gift of life—fresh water to needy communities in Malawi, Africa, the world’s sixth poorest country.
