Interview with Lori Schneider – Inspiration for All
In 1999, at the age of forty-three, Lori Schneider awoke with numbness in over 50% of her body. Two months later, her entire body was numb. She had Multiple Sclerosis – MS. MS is a disease that attacks the central nervous system, and often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years, because the symptoms come and go. Lori had been experiencing symptoms of numbness and tingling for 10 years prior to that total body attack, when they told her that it was rapidly progressing and she could be in a wheelchair some day. “It scared me. I was really afraid that my physical life was over”, Lori said. So what did she do? Set a goal to climb the highest mountains on the 7 continents – of course. MS disrupted her balance and vision. She began steroid ments to address the symptoms. With her numbness abated and balance returned she went on to summit Acancagua on the millennium, New Years Eve 1999/2000. When it came time to climb Everest in 2009, it was a tall order. She had to train near sea level, take out a loan for $80,000 to pay for the climb and figure out if her MS would be an issue at 29,035 feet. Now almost a year later, Lori took time away from her busy speaking schedule to share her experience with me. I am always impressed with people who set tough challenges for themselves against all the odds. Of course we all followed Mark Inglis who summited in 2007 – with prosthetic legs – via the Discovery Channel’s Everest series. Also Eric Weihenmayer, blind, who made it to the top in 2001. Then there are those people who see the opportunity, have a small support system and few contacts – certainly no sponsors or television contracts. They see their challenge as life changing and, more importantly, meaningful to others. Last week we visited with Cindy Abbott who has a rare disease, WG. Similar to Lori, she has no sponsors, has taken out a huge loan and lives near sea level. Lori summited on May 23, 2009, becoming the first person with MS to complete the 7 Summits quest plus becoming the first person with MS to summit Everest. Today she uses that notoriety to inspire others that they can achieve their dreams through their own empowerment. I wanted to ask Lori if it was worth it? All the risks, the pain, the sacrifice. I wanted to know how she was feeling today. And I wanted to share with the world how she is a making a difference. Q: Did summiting Everest “change your life”? I returned a different person after summiting Everest. For me, those ten surreal minutes on top of the world, had a profound impact on me. When I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I thought my physical life was over. As I stood on the summit in the snow, wind, fog, and clouds, I could not see a thing. After 16 years of climbing, I had no view from the highest point on earth. The only thing I could do was to look inside. What I saw was a woman who had become brave. A woman who thought her physical life was over the day she woke up with half her body numb, no longer feared for her future. Climbing Everest allowed me to believe in the unbelievable. Q: Can you discuss the differences in the physical vs. the mental challenge of climbing Everest? I think climbing Everest is one part luck, one part physical strength, and one part mental strength. In spite of bad weather on summit day, we were lucky to have any shot at all. That is where the luck came in. For me, I think the key lies in being mentally tough. You can lift weights, run, carry heavy loads, and do exercises to get you physically ready for Everest. It takes hours per day to get in the shape you need to be in to climb, at least it did for me. On the mountain, that physical training really paid off in strenuous areas like the Khumbu Icefall, the Lhotse Face, and the Hillary Step. I believe the TRUE key to success really comes from mental toughness. It takes a positive attitude to deal with long days of climbing, intimidating terrain, and the constant threat of danger. You must be able to put fear aside, in order to remain focused. As a 52 year old woman with MS, I knew I was not going to be the strongest on the team, or even close. What I did know, was that I was going to give it my shot, with my attitude. I think a positive mindset can be your most valuable piece of equipment. Q: You live in Wisconsin, elevation 1283’ and your training was via treadmill with a 50lb pack among other techniques. Any advice for other aspiring climbers living in the lowlands? I am a retired teacher and had no money or sponsors to help pay for a climbing or training camp. For me, my only option was to make use of the terrain I had. I spent three days a week climbing the hills of our local ski area, attempting to put in 1000 vertical feet each time, as I went back and forth up the slopes. I put a 50 pound bag of dog food in my pack for strength training, and hurled myself down snow covered slopes with ice axe in hand to practice self-arrest techniques. The treadmill added low impact incline training on alternate days, in addition to weight lifting, an exercise program, and core strengthening. I also simulated ladder crossings by putting ladders across hay bales and up trees in my yard, then crossing them while wearing my crampons. You climb Everest slowly enough that your body will acclimatize while you are there, so being at elevation ahead of time is not crucial. Bottom line is, a step is a step is