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Disabled Duo in Double Peak Ascent
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Mountain of the Star Expedition is first of its
kind for disabled Asian climbers
Singapore
Partially disabled Singapore mountaineers, David
Lim and Wong Ting Sern, will attempt the ascent of
Mexico's highest mountain, 5700m El Pico de Orizaba (Mountain of the Star), in March 2003. A
dormant, ice-capped volcano, Orizaba is also the
third highest mountain in all of North America.
The team will face extreme challenges such as
strong winds, climbing on sheets of steep ice and
coping with high altitude, all without any
external assistance. |
Wong has been
climbing since the 1980s and has completed ascents on
Denali (1982), Mount Foraker- Infinite Spur, Khatung
Kang (Nepal) and the northwest ridge of Cholatse. Lm
has over 40 alpine and Himalayan ascents including
summits of Dhaulagiri VII (7246m) in Nepal, Cho Oyu
(8201m) in Tibet, Mt Cook (via Zurbriggen's Ridge) the
north west face of the Grand Combin (Swiss Alps).
Since being rendered partially disabled, he has
completed climbs such as an alpine-style climb of
Aconcagua's Polish Traverse route and lightweight
attempts on Shishapangma and Cho Oyu.
Lim, SingaporeΉs
first professional mountaineer, suffered from
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in 1998 after leading
SingaporeΉs first Everest expedition. He is now
partially disabled in his left hand and both legs. His
partner on this ascent, Wong, is partially disabled
from infant cerebral palsy and affected by loss of
hearing, a speech impediment and balance problems.
In preparation for
this climb, the team will attempt Iztaccihuatl or La
Malinche, both in Mexico, at the end of February 2003.
Typically, mountaineering ascents by climbers with
disabilities are carried out with significant support
from able-bodied partners and guides. Proving that
disabilities do not hold people back, Lim and Wong
will climb without support such as professional
guides, porters, airdrops or similar aid, making the
Mountain of the Star expedition the first of its kind
by disabled Asian mountaineers.
Through this
expedition, the team hopes to raise awareness of
disability issues and the importance of disability
sport. The team will be assisting the Society for the
Physically Disabled (SPD) in raising money for a new
van.
In addition, the team
will be using the expedition as an educational tool,
working with Singapore schools to provide assistance
in school projects and helping students gain a better
understanding of social, geographical and cultural
issues.
Educational and
Fund-Raising Project
Working with schools
is part of David LimΉs ongoing efforts to inspire
students with lessons on overcoming disabilities, as
well as to educate them on the importance of
disability needs in society. Four schools will be
participating in Orizaba 2003Ήs educational and
fund-raising projects:
Sengkang Secondary School
Marsiling Secondary School
CHIJ Kellock
Henry Park
Primary School
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