Recently, a teen from Oregon hiked, with his father, the 70 miles to the Southern Base Camp of Mt. Everest at just above 17,600 feet. Eli Reimer is not a typical teen from Oregon though, he was born with Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality in humans, and varies from one individual to another in the severity of their intelectual capabilities.
Many parents who have children born with Down syndrome see the birth of their disabled child as misfortunate and burdensome. While raising a child with Down syndrome won't be easy, they could not be more wrong.
My 26 year old brother, Chase, was born with one of the "less severe" cases of Down syndrome. As the first child to my parents, I know it was not any easy realization to what the future held for Chase. Yet, they have raised him to be a loving, smart man that can tell you the name of any country song (along with who sings it), anyone in the history WWE wrestling, as well as the name of anyone he has ever met.
Being that someone with Down syndrome cannot challenge his or her mind in the same way as those without it, society makes restrains them in a way so they feel as though they can never accomplish anything of "importance."
Eli Reimer is just the example needed to trump this inaccurate assumption.
While he and his father did not make it to the 29,029 ft. summit of Mount Everest, this accomplishment is more challenging that most others will ever get near.
"It was surreal," as Just Reimer, Eli's father, told HLN in an interview, "to be standing there at that place and see the smile on Eli's face and the sense of accomplishment that he had, and the fact that his health was better than any of us at that point... it was humbling, it was inspiring, just an amazing moment."
This climb was not only to add to a list of personal accomplishments. Eli and his father ascended to Everest's Southern Base Camp in the effort to raise funds for their families fund, The Elisha Foundation.
Since this father and son dou returned from their Himalayan excursion, they have raised over $85,000 in donations for their foundation that provides professional and educational support to families with special-needs children.
It is important for special-needs children and adults, such as Eli and Chase, to have opportunities that improve their skills and knowledge at their own pace while rewarding their actions.
Two events and organizations that I have familiarized myself with over the years, through attendance and volunteering, are the Special Olympics and Camp Spearhead (located in SC).
The Special Olympics and Camp Spearhead offer activities and friendly competitions for individuals of all ages that have special-needs, such as Down syndrome and autism.
Though the summer camps at Camp Spearhead only last for a week at a time, and the Special Olympics events last only a couple days, Chase's life revolves around going to them.
Nothing will make you smile more than seeing the smile on his face when he comes home to show everyone his Special Olympics medals, or tells the stories of the fun he has had at Camp Spearhead.
So the next time you get the opportunity, find a special-needs program or organization that you think is doing something right and help them out.
You do not have to give money, though it would greatly improve their capabilities and services, organizations such as The Special Olympics and Camp Spearhead would more than love for you to volunteer at their next event or camp. It is truly an amazing and unique experience.
A BIG thanks to Camp Spearhead and The Special Olympics for all that they do, and a BIG congratulations to Eli Reimer for his ascent on Mt. Everest.
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