How many adventure books might you read before you decide that it is time to put down the books and live out your own adventurous story? For me, I read A LOT of books, watched a lot of films, and listened to a lot of talks. I was in awe of these epic stories of mountaineering, and the incredible people that were true heroes in my eyes. When I learned I had MS and realised the possibility that my days of being as active and mobile as I may like may be limited, I put my books down and set out on my own adventure. In 2022, I climbed two peaks in the Himalayas, and I am now returning to climb Mt Everest, as the first Australian with MS to do so. But mine is not just a story of climbing or of a life with MS, it is a story of seeking inspiration in the one place where I realised it matters most, in myself. I am writing this with a pile of duffel bags beside me, ready to board my plane early tomorrow for Nepal. I am excited to see just where the journey takes me,and what my quest to become my own hero will bring to me, and also to you. Jen Willis is a 51 and a single mum to three awesome humans. In 2008, after the birth of her third child, she became quite unwell and was advised it was possible she may have multiple sclerosis. She made a vow at the time that if ever she was diagnosed she was going to follow a childhood dream to learn to mountaineer, and also fundraise for MS research, knowing what an important role this research would likely play in her own future health outcomes. Fast forward to 2018, to a diagnosis, and so began her journey to "climb for a cure" for MS. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at [ Ссылка ]
