Shean's Reflection

I could have used a program like this when I was a kid. I’m talking about the Power To Be Wilderness School. I had a tough start to life. I came from an abusive family, was living on the streets of Edmonton at only 10 years of age, eating out of garbage cans, and spent a lot of time thinking that the only person I could count on was myself. I’ve been learning not to feel that way now. And this Kilimanjaro trip is helping me with this goal. My hope is that this program can teach others. I have rarely chosen an easy path in life to follow, and climbing the tallest free standing mountain in the world is no exception.

Why did I choose Power To Be over other worthwhile charities? Because I believe we need more organizations that look after our own children. A local charity was important to me. I first encountered Tim, Executive Director of Power To Be, at the corporate challenge event called Power To Play put on annually by the Society. I was invited to put together a team from my demolition company, and was then roped into volunteering to set up a course. It was that Saturday in spring 2009 that I met Tim. Tim introduced the Power To Climb project spearheaded by volunteers Mike and Chantal Schauch and for me, it was the perfect timing. Kilimanjaro has been a 30-year dream that started in front of a black and white TV set where I saw a picture of the mountain for the very first time. There was something unmistakable in the television announcer’s voice as he described the mountain - a remarkable passion. At that moment I fell in love with the mountain. At the time I was dead broke and didn’t know how I was ever going to get there, but I just refused to let go of the dream.

Eight years ago when I was diagnosed with lung cancer, I reinforced the promise to myself to realize my dream of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. I didn’t entirely believe at the time I would be able to climb because my cancer was stage four, and for those who have faced cancer know, this is the stage where doctors tell you that you are likely to die. But I overcame the cancer and ended up meeting Tim that fateful day at the Vancouver Island Technology Park. Tim offered a perfect situation to climb Kilimanjaro. The summit day will be my 8th year since diagnosed with cancer. It will mean a lot to stand on the top of the world with my fellow summit team members – I cannot even start telling you! I know we will all make it.
-Shean