Clinton Shard knows how to fight through pain and fatigue.
And last month, the 16-year-old Crohn's disease sufferer turned experience into strength as he pushed his way up the final metres to the top of the world's highest freestanding mountain.
Shard conquered Mount Kilimanjaro on Sept. 13 with five IBD Adventures teammates to raise funds for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada and the Intestinal Disease Education and Awareness Society (IDEAS).
He has contributed $5,895 to the team's $35,400 goal so far, while a significant portion has yet to be tallied.
As Shard scrambled the final few hours to the summit in mostly darkness, sick and tired from the quick elevation gain, he urged himself forward by visualizing the beautiful Tanzanian landscape, he said. His vision became a reality at about 8 a.m. atop the Uhuru Peak, 5,895 metres over Africa.
The team spent six days climbing the 65-kilometre Rongai route. On summit day, they set off at midnight with headlamps for the seven and a half hour climb to the top. Although having limited vision on a mountain might sound scary, the darkness was actually a blessing, said Shard.
"It was good not seeing what we were going up because it was extremely steep, so I think if we could actually see what we were climbing it would have been extremely difficult to push," he said with a laugh.
Shard is quickly becoming a positive model for other young people living with Crohn's disease, using his energy to help others understand the disease through speaking engagements at local schools and for various organizations.
Shard is sharing his story at the Squamish Public Library from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 28. He is also taking part in Brennan Park Recreation Centre's Halloween Family Dance from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. Admission for the event costs $2 and donations will be collected for IDEAS.
Those wishing to make a donation online can do so by visiting www.ibdadventures.com. Click the "team" link and scroll down to Shard's profile.
