3 war vets, 1 good leg: Amputees climb Kilimanjaro - story with pics

[Kadie]

3 war vets, 1 good leg: Amputees climb Kilimanjaro

By Jason Straziuso, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 7 mins ago

NAIROBI, Kenya – The three veterans from three different wars had only one good leg among them. But that didn't stop them from summiting Africa's highest mountain.

The three soldiers — veterans of Afghanistan, Iraq and Vietnam — scrambled, clawed and plodded to the top of Tanzania's Mt. Kilimanjaro, hiking up the domed mountain's scree-filled paths on one human leg and five titanium and carbon fiber prosthetics.

They skidded. They fell. They removed their legs to adjust their shoes. And after six days of climbing they stood at 19,336 feet (5,895 meters) — Africa's highest point

"The message we're trying to send back to the USA is no matter what disability you have you can be active," said Kirk Bauer, the executive director of Disabled Sports USA and a 62-year-old Vietnam veteran who lost his leg in 1969.

"If three amputees from three different wars and two different generations with literally one good leg can climb Kilimanjaro, our other disabled friends can get out and go hiking or go biking or swim a mile, can get out and lead a healthy life," he said.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100811/ap_on_re_af/af_war_vets_kilimanjaro_1


In this handout photo taken Thursday Aug. 5, 2010, Neil Duncan, 26, of Denver, CO, makes his way slowly towards the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, on the fourth day of his climb. Duncan lost his leg in Afghanistan. Three U.S. veterans from three different wars had only one good leg among them, and after six days of climbing they stood at 19,336 feet (5,895 meters) on top of Africa's highest mountain and proving that no disability should stop people from being active, according to Disabled Sports USA director Kirk Bauer.


In this handout photo taken Thursday Aug. 5, 2010, Neil Duncan, 26, of Denver, CO, center, and Dan Nevins, 37, of Jacksonville, FL, right, are led bylocal guide Godlisten Moshi, towards the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, on the fourth day of their climb. Duncan lost his leg in Afghanistan and Nevins in Iraq. Three U.S. veterans from three different wars had only one good leg among them, and after six days of climbing they stood at 19,336 feet (5,895 meters) on top of Africa's highest mountain and proving that no disability should stop people from being active, according to Disabled Sports USA director Kirk Bauer



In this photo dated Aug. 6, 2010, released by Disabled Sports USA, on Wednesday Aug. 11, 2010, showing from left, Kirk Bauer, 62, of Ellicott City, MD,Neil Duncan, 26, of Denver, CO and Dan Nevins, 37, of Jacksonville, FL, as they pose together at Gilman's point before making the last push to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Bauer lost his leg in Vietnam, Duncan lost his leg in Afghanistan and Nevins in Iraq. Three U.S. veterans from three different wars had only one good leg among them, and after six days of climbing they stood at 19,336 feet (5,895 meters) on top of Africa's highest mountain and proving that no disability should stop people from being active, according to Disabled Sports USA director Kirk Bauer.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

1. Very inspiring!

I love readings stories like this! :hi:

[Kadie]

2. Glad you enjoyed it.

:hi: