DUGGER, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – One Sullivan County man skipped the turkey and pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving to inspire others to make what seems impossible, possible.
Lonnie Bedwell is the blind adventurer. He’s in Antarctica attempting to climb the highest peak on that continent and then cross-country ski to the South Pole. He’s used to climbing mountains. He’s also climbed the highest peaks on 4 of the 7 continents and that includes climbing Mt. Denali in Alaska and Mt. Everest in the Himalayas.
“You can do so much more than you think you can, than others think you can,” said Lonnie Bedwell.
His goal is to climb the highest peak on all seven continents and go to the North and South Pole. He believes no other blind person has ever accomplished this feat.
“I would have never dreamed my life was going to take me where it has,” added Bedwell.
The former Navy man lost his sight in a hunting accident in 1997 at the age of 31. After a period of what he described as feeling sorry for himself, he decided he had a life to live.
Besides climbing mountains, Bedwell was the first blind man to kayak down the Colorado River. That’s 226 miles through the rough white waters of the Grand Canyon.
After that, he wrote a book encouraging others to go for their dreams.
“I truly do believe,” said Bedwell. “That I am one of the most blessed human beings to have ever walked the face of this earth before and after losing my sight.”
You can follow Bedwell’s progress in Antarctica by Clicking Here.
