Taking Hope to New Heights!
“Taking Hope to New Heights” is my objective as I fundraise for Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis by climbing Mount Aconcagua. In doing so, I pay tribute to my father and mother and the challenges they have faced with these two diseases.
On December 19th I was part of my Dad’s 89th birthday celebration; it was wonderful to be able to celebrate this milestone with him but at the same time it has been very difficult to watch Parkinson’s Disease take its toll on his health. The changes in his well being in the last year have been significant and I expect the symptoms of his disease will continue to advance. As always, we seek the most positive outlook and that is that he is very content and well loved and cared for in his new home in the Lucky Lake long-term care facility; which as a point of trivia is on the same site as the hospital I was born in.
My mother died in 1964 at the very young age of 36, after living her last 7 years with Multiple Sclerosis that advanced at a very rapid rate. I was 11 years old at the time and have very fond but few memories of my Mom in good physical health and think back on all that she never was able to share with us; her five children growing up and becoming adults and parents to her grandchildren and so much more. Unfortunately, Multiple Sclerosis robbed her of a chance to live a longer life and to share life with her family and make many more memories.
For those who are not familiar with my history of climbing and fundraising, I have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on two occasions and raised funds on both occasions. In 2007, for the Canadian Liver Foundation in honour of my late wife, Joan, who passed away in 2003 after a short struggle with liver cancer. The second time, in 2009 to support the work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation who do very important work in supporting community based organizations working to turn the tide against HIV/ AIDS in Africa. On both occasions with the generous support of many I was able to raise in excess of $60,000 for each organization.
This time it is my plan to honour my Mom and Dad by climbing Mount Aconcagua and raise money and hope. At 6,962 metres (22, 840 feet) Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the world outside of the Himalayas. Aconcagua lies in Argentina not far from the border with Chile and is called the “Sentinel of Stone”. It is also the highest trek in the world (a non technical climb with no ropes, climbing ladders, etc.) similar to Kilimanjaro in Africa.
What makes it more challenging to climb than Kilimanjaro is the additional 1,000 metres of altitude that must be climbed, several extra days on the mountain- likely 15 days of living in a tent with limited comforts, the probability of very harsh weather conditions (almost guaranteed to be -20 C near the top with strong winds as well and the fact that above base camp you carry all of your own gear up and down on your back in 20 kg plus loads.
Although I have been thinking and considering doing this climb for some time I did not make my final decision until Christmas Eve when I wire transferred my money for the expedition. So now I’m committed and I have “cranked up” the intensity of my training with most days including a 2- 3 hour hike up and down hills (hard to find in Regina) with a 20 kg pack on my back. I must train intensively for the next month before I leave for Argentina on January 28th as this will give me the best chance of success on the climb.
We have setup this website so that I can provide updates on training and fundraising before I leave, as well as, progress throughout the climb. Because I made the decision at the 11th hour (kind of my comfort zone for most decision making) the fundraising effort will also happen quickly in the month of January before I leave. Once I get started on the climb my hope would be to be able to provide you with some updates via satellite link so that I can share with you my climbing progress and what life on an Aconcagua expedition is like.
My fundraising goal is to raise a total of $45,680 (a dollar for every foot up and down the mountain) for the Movement Disorder Fund (Parkinson's) and Multiple Sclerosis combined, and in the process honour my mother’s memory and remember my Dad as he continues on his life journey. I need your help to accomplish my fundraising goal so if possible please consider contributing to one of the two causes, Parkinson's Research or Multiple Sclerosis Research.
Everything I have learned in life and in my passion for climbing is that you must take both “one step at a time”. On my journey up Aconcagua and toward our fundraising goal those important first steps have been taken.
Sincerely with appreciation,
Brian Kusisto
