WendyBooker.net: Home Page | Raising Awareness for MS by Climbing the Seven Summits

Self-discovery... Serendipity... Stubborness...

Please don't call her "wonder woman", even though that's what she really is. Call her a mother, a survivor, a fighter and a motivator - but she really just wants us to call her "Wendy". And, the more you get to know her you'll see why: she doesn't use labels. She prefers actions to words. And, while she seems to have super powers, she's just a woman on a mission: to become the first person with an MS diagnosis to climb the Seven Summits (the highest mountain on each of the seven continents).

Why climb mountains? Not just because she has multiple sclerosis, although her disease does motivate her. As do her children. In fact, as do ALL children. "I use mountains as metaphors for the obstacles we all encounter in life," says Wendy. "And, I want to inspire others - especially young people - not to see obstacles as mountains in their way, but more as challenges to 'climb' over and around. We all have such 'mountains' in our lives and we cannot let them stop us!"

You may say that it's a bit extreme to run marathons (Did we forget to mention, Wendy has completed nine marathons since her MS diagnosis in 1998?) and climb mountains, but as she explains: "I'm not telling people they need to climb mountains or run marathons, but once you get your diagnosis, have your pity party. But don't let the disease or challenge stop you." If you can't really keep physically active, Wendy suggests finding a mental challenge or a new passion. "It's all about attitude. Even the most severely challenged can move forward with the right attitude."

Wendy's story is about overcoming obstacles whatever they may be through a journey of self-discovery, serendipity and stubborness. So far, she has summited six of the Seven Summits which include: 20,320 ft. Mt. McKinley (Denali, Alaska, US), 19,340 ft. Mt. Kiliminjaro (Africa), 18,481 ft. Mt. Elbrus (Russia), 22,834 ft. Mt. Aconcagua (Argentina), 16,067 ft. Mt. Vinson Massif (Antarctica)and most recently Mt. Kosciuszko (Australia) at 7,310 ft!.

Her 2009 expedition to Mt. Everest did not end in a summit - this time the mountain won. But not to be deterred, Wendy is preparing to go back for Round 2 in the spring of 2010.

more about Wendy's mission...

Click to view a slideshow of Wendy's climbing photos.