Bayfield resident Lori Schneider may look like an ordinary middle aged woman, but she has done a few things that only a handful of people have accomplished.
Lori says "I'm in the process of completing the seven summits and what that means is I'm trying to climb the highest peaks on each continent, I've finished six continents already, I just got back from Antarctica."
While climbing mountains is a momentous task in itself, Lori's story is even more amazing because she has Multiple Sclerosis.
Lori says "When I got diagnosed back ten years ago I panicked, I went into fear mode I left my life I ran away."
Lori isn't letting her disease keep her down; she is currently training for the climb of her life.
Lori says"I'm on my way to complete the grand daddy of them all Mount Everest in Nepal Asia at 29,035 feet."
Lori is constantly training for the big climb.
Her work out routine includes, hiking up a local ski hill while wearing a fifty pound back pack, and traversing ladders while wearing her climbing gear.
Only ten percent of all the people that have successfully made it to the top of Everest have been women, so Lori is set to join an exclusive club.
Lori says climbing has helped her regain her spirit, something that was lost when she was first diagnosed.
Lori says "Through the mountain climbing I've really taken back my life and my power."
Lori doesn't climb mountains just for herself; she wants to empower other people.
Lori says "Help people to realize that their life isn't over when they're diagnosed with something like M-S."
Lori's friends and family are supportive of her mountain climbing adventures.
Her long time partner Jim Ramsdell is proud of her many accomplishments.
Jim says "She's following through with her dreams and really she's someone to look up to for sure with her message to of sharing with others to move beyond their limitations."
Lori departs for Nepal in just over two weeks and expects to stay there for over two months.
Twitter
Facebook