The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) has organizing their biggest and most exciting event to date, Team Everest ’03. The 18-month campaign began in Austin, Texas in January 2002 and is culminating in the Spring 2003 expedition to the world’s highest peak. CTD's missions is to better serve individuals with disabilities and raise funding and awareness for disability related issues.

Team Everest '03 is one of the most important events in the disability community, radically changing the way individuals with disabilities are perceived. The year 2003 marks the 50th anniversary of the first summit of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Team Everest ’03 represents 50 years of progress of people with disabilities and will “Challenge the Myth” that having a disability equates to a lack of capability and potential.

In March 2003, the Challenge Trek team representing a variety of disabilities will begin the 30 mile trek to the 17,500’ base camp of Mt. Everest. The Summit Team led by mountaineer Gary Guller will then attempt their climb to the 29,035’ peak of Everest. If he reaches the top, Gary will be the first climber with one arm to stand on the summit of the world's highest peak.

The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, founded in 1978, is an IRS-approved 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities enjoy equal opportunities to live, work, play, and participate fully in the community of their choice. CTD has consistently delivered important results for persons with disabilities for the past 23 years, and continues to fight the discrimination that faces individuals with disabilities in almost every aspect of their lives.