EverestNews.com Good Causes (Funds) for 2003

If you have followed EverestNews.com for a while, you know we like good causes. We are trying to give just a little back for all the good things we have in our lives. As you know there are so many people in the world in need. The need is so great. But if we all try to do just a little, we can make a difference. For the Year 2003 we have decided to promote Texans with Disabilities to Climb Mt. Everest on EverestNews.com and our network of web sites. You, our readers of EverestNews.com, have helped to build two schools in Nepal, helped some of Anatoli Boukreev's dreams come true, helped KARING FOR KIDS-NEPAL SAVE their CLINIC and more!

The Texans with Disabilities to Climb Mt. Everest

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

In Spring 2003, the Challenge Trek team comprised of people with disabilities will trek to the 17,500ft base camp of Mt. Everest. Team Everest '03 will be one of the most important historic 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 successful, Gary will be the first climber with one arm to reach 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.

Challenge Trek team Member

Dinesh Ranasinghe Age: 25 Nationality: USA Home Location: San Antonio, TX Occupation: Web Developer, ACT - Appraisal & Collection Technologies

“I never really in my wildest dreams thought that I would have a chance to be on a team like this. But over the past several years, I have noticed something about myself that I hadn’t before my amputation. That is being an amputee is only a small part of who I am and it doesn’t reflect what I can or cannot do. I realized my limitations are solely dependent on my attitude. I believe that being a part of this expedition will give me a chance to make others, disabled or not, aware of the truly limitless capabilities of physically disabled athletes and disabled individuals in general.”

Dinesh is a right leg – above the knee – amputee, who loves all outdoor activities. He participates in both basketball and football tournaments. He was presented the “Male Athlete of the Year” award by the Warm Spring Sports Program, and also was a participant in the “Tour De Cure 2002,” a 20-mile cycling tour to help raise funds for diabetes. Dinesh has worked as a team leader at the Texas Lion’s Camp, a camp dedicated to serving physically disabled kids. He currently resides in San Antonio, Texas.