Zhang Hong is training to be the first blind person from China to summit Mount Everest in 2021. He reached out to me looking for encouragement after facing skepticism and critics in his home country. I faced similar doubts when I announced my intention to climb Everest back in 2001. I was not ignorant, nor flippant, about the potential dangers to myself and my team, and many of the loudest naysayers were climbers with decades of hard-earned experience. They knew climbing, but they didn’t know me. I believed that, with the right skills, mindset, and support team, it was a fully achievable goal. Zhang and I have never met, and come from different generations and parts of the globe, but we share a commonality; we are all part of this No Barriers community. I am confident that Zhang’s determination and commitment to his goal will see him to the top. In his own words:
“Dear Erik,
In childhood, I was very introverted and lonely. My father and uncle were both blind and we were isolated and ostracized as a family. Then, at the age of 21, I succumbed to Glaucoma and was completely blind in three months. I was in an abyss of despair and could not accept this new cruel reality. I was suicidal and desperate when I met my partner who stood by me through it all. He encouraged me to learn Chinese massage and I found work in a hospital. Then, by chance in 2015, I met the famous mountaineer, Mr. Luo Ze, who had successfully climbed all 14 8000 meter peaks in the world. It was he who told me your story of summiting Mount Everest, which inspired me greatly. Since then, I have also strengthened a belief that all blind people are as capable as those that are sighted. I became determined to challenge myself and tap my potential. With my goal of summiting Mt. Everest I have been actively training and, after many hardships and difficulties, I have successfully climbed to the top of the Zhuo La Rikang Snow Mountain at an altitude of 7050 meters and reached the Muztagh Peak; 7,546 meters above sea level. I hope that through my summit of Mount Everest next year (and yours in 2001), we will inspire more people and bring them the strength to have a confident and sunny life.”
Watch Zhang Hong talk about his journey:
Zhang, I am proud to pass the torch as you create your own No Barriers Life. Your experiences will Elevate the world. Climb High!
