Lori Schneider

Country: USA
Age: 52
Type of MS: Relapsing-remitting
Year of Diagnosis: 1999





"It was an amazing feeling to go step by step by step up Mount Everest with the World MS Day flag in my pack. Each step was hard and I had to concentrate on every aspect, and I had to really convince myself to keep going."



"It gave me a whole new feeling for people with MS who may have a hard time walking across a room. My difficulty on the mountain was short-lived, but I realised that some people with MS experience this level of difficulty with every step they take. I encourage them not to give up hope and to keep following their dreams!"



In 1999, I was a 43 year old teacher, traveler, adventurer and athlete when I was told, "get ready, you have rapidly progressing multiple sclerosis (MS) and you’ll probably be in a wheelchair very soon." This short sentence threatened to end my dreams, travel, mountain climbing, hiking, skiing, running, kayaking – everything that I loved to do.

My diagnosis came after half of my body became numb overnight. It felt similar to the temporary numbness I had felt in my hands, feet, and lips after climbing Kilimanjaro in 1993, but it grew steadily worse. After multiple spinal taps and tests for cancer, the diagnosis of MS was confirmed. I left my 20 year life in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA, determined to do as many things I loved as possible while I could. I continued training and within a year had climbed to the summit of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, and the highest mountain outside Asia. Conquering mountains helped me conquer my fear for the future, and my MS symptoms have abated. Since my diagnosis I have climbed all seven of The Seven Summits (the highest peak on each of the continents), the latest being Mount Everest, as well as other training and charity fundraising climbs. In addition, I have completed marathons in Duluth and Chicago and a half marathon on the Great Wall of China.

I now lead an active life in Bayfield, Wisconsin, USA. I am a motivational speaker, making presentations about mountain climbing and climbing the mountains in my life. I offer encouragement to newly diagnosed people with MS, who are referred to me by doctors. After my Everest climb, I hope to help others with MS by providing adventure and climbing experiences on Kilimanjaro and in other venues. At first I saw my MS diagnosis as devastating. Now I see that it has been a positive catalyst in my life and moved me closer to living my dreams. My mission is to give hope to others who are living with this condition.