DUGGER, Ind. (WTW)/WAWV) – A Sullivan County man said he wants to be the first blind person to complete the “Explorers’ Grand Slam,” and he’s well on his way to doing it.
The “Explorers’ Grand Slam” is climbing the highest peak on all seven continents and going to the North and South Poles. Lonnie Bedwell says he has completed seven of the nine challenges and leaves for Australia Friday, October 3 to conquer the eighth.
The Dugger man lost his sight more than 28 years ago in a hunting incident. He was accidentally shot in the face by his best friend. He uses his disability to inspire others to dream big.
“Believe in yourself. Don’t ever question your value, your worth, your purpose,” said Lonnie Bedwell.
WTWO has followed Bedwell as he’s trekked to the South Pole and as he climbed the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest. The mountain he said was the most challenging.
“The altitude and just the longevity of it. 47 days to get to the summit,” said Bedwell.
To achieve his goal, Bedwell climbs with sighted climbers. He said he follows sounds and their directions. He trains for each climb by jogging a 7 and half mile route near his home. He also uses a stationary bike and a climbing machine.
Bedwell said at times we all face struggles and offers this advice.
“Believe you can do so much more than you think you can. So face that adversity. Just take another step,” said Bedwell.
Take another step and climb your mountain just as Bedwell plans to do.
Once he completes this mission, he said he only has the North Pole left to visit in order to complete the “Explorers’ Grand Slam.”
