I used a lot of climbing imagery in my “What if he never talks?” post a few days ago. For me it captures the often difficult and slow – but steady – progress we make as we try to climb upward that little bit at a time.
And this young man goes out and shows us how climbing is done right.
A 12-year-old boy with special educational needs is believed to be the youngest person ever to trek to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world.
Winton School student Joshua Wilson’s achievement in reaching the Everest landmark is all the more remarkable because he suffers from the learning disability, autism.
How great is that! But it gets even better. In the words of his mother,
Josh had a breakdown four years ago and wouldn’t leave the house. He’s quite shy and his autism tends to be quite debilitating for him.
[...]
He has come back from his trip a different boy. He has a lot more self-confidence and was able to give a presentation on Everest at school. I’m so proud of him.
[From the Bournemouth Daily Echo]
That gave me chills and tears and a big ol’ smile.
Now that, my friends, is how it’s done.
Posts that hopefully are similar:
- Book Review – “The Game of My Life” by Jason McElwain
- The Unlikely, Inspiring Combination of Gatorade and Autism
- Swifter, Higher, Stronger
- Godspeed, Kay Yow
- Autism Goes Super
- Hot Wheels That Heal
- Thanks for being awesome, Jeremy Sicile-Kira (Updated)
