Climbers with Parkinson's summit Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa

More than a Mountain: Lessons Learned from Mount Kilamanjaro

Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation medical director Dr. Monique Giroux and board member Sierra Farris, PA have just returned from summiting Africa’s 19,340 foot Mt. Kilimanjaro in July, 2011, part of a group climb called the Leap of Faith Adventure.

The group included 27 individuals, including 4 with Parkinson’s disease and 11 with Multiple Sclerosis. They were the first team with PD and MS climbers to climb and reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Team leader and climber Lori Schneider is the first woman with MS to climb the world’s highest peak on each continent. 

"Lori’s dedication to inspiring and believing in people living with neurological conditions has been rewarded by changing the lives of 27 fellow climbers."

Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation will sponsor an event honoring Dr. Giroux, Sierra Farris, PA and the climbers challenged with Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis of the Mt Kilimanjaro climb.


Saturday, September 12, 2011 at 9:00am, Shoreline Center, Shoreline Room, 18560 1st Ave, Shoreline, WA 98155. 


Continental breakfast will be available. To reserve please call 206 748-9481 or register online. 

The team summitted on July 18, 2011 after 5 long days of acclimatizing to the altitude, spending most days well over 12,000 feet climbing over lava boulders, rock walls, icy rock slabs and trekking along trails that went on for miles under the Africa’s equatorial sun. 

Summit day commenced at 10:30pm with fellow PD teammate John Carlin and his wife Martha and MS teammate Sarah Conrad reaching the summit just before sunrise.

Several others also summitted with altitude taking its toll on a few of the climbers just below Stella point at 18,862 feet. 

In total, 21 of the original 29 climbers summitted with most summiting after an exhausting 10-12 hours of climbing.

The accomplishment of the Leap of Faith team sets an historical benchmark for those that follow. The camaraderie and support for each other grew stronger with each passing day on the mountain as all met the climb's physical and mental challenges with strength and courage.

Both Dr. Giroux and Sierra have been strong advocates for their patients to live life to the fullest. This climb was about abilities and never did we focus or even think about disabilities.

The climb was led by Seattle based Alpine Ascents International guides Eric Murphy and Ben Jones. Dr. Giroux and Sierra monitored and triaged issues common to ascending any big mountain, but mostly conveyed to the team utmost confidence that each and every one on the team had the strength and ability to accomplishing their goal of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.