retinoschsis At age 13 Erik Weihenmayer lost his eyesight due to a condition called retinoschsis, characterized by the abnormal splitting of the retina's neurosensory layers. Determined not to let his blindness become him, Erik learned to rock climb.

Erik's triumphs over some of the world's most formidable mountains were fueling a growing aspiration to take the lessons he learned in the mountains to help others shatter barriers in their lives. To advance this idea, Erik co-founded not merely an organization, but rather a movement called No Barriers.

age 13 Reaching the summit of Mount Everest is a triumph for any climber, but for Erik Weihenmayer, the accomplishment is even more impressive. That's because he is blind. Born with a rare eye disease, Mr. Weihenmayer lost his sight at age 13 and later discovered a sense of freedom through climbing.

Erik is courageous and determined and you can tell because of his actions. He is courageous because he does not give up when learning new things.

Adventure career On May 25, 2001, Weihenmayer became the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. For this feat, he was honored with a Time Magazine cover story. Of his Everest ascent, Time stated, "There is no way to put what Erik has done in perspective because no one has ever done anything like it.

Andy Holzer: Statistically, very few disabled climbers have died climbing Everest, and only two of the 15 disabled climbers who have reached the summit are blind.

Erik Weihenmayer (born September 23, 1968) is an American athlete, adventurer, author, activist and motivational speaker. He was the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, on May 25, 2001. As a result of this accomplishment he was featured on the cover of Time magazine.

David Brown David Brown is known as the world's fastest completely blind runner.

As a result, the new title holder is 118-year old Lucile Randon, a French nun. Sister Andre, as she is known, is blind. She resides in a nursing home in the Mediterranean city of Toulon.

Solution: Endurance, persistence and will power are the three qualities that played a major role in the author's climb.

How does Weihenmayer use his senses when climbing? He can hear, touch and smell things to guide his way. Why is Weihenmayer's Mount Everest climb considered a unique achievement? Most people can't climb it but he was also the first blind person to do it.

Is it possible for a person without vision to fly a plane? While most pilots rely on sight, it is possible for a blind pilot to rely on sound, touch and other adaptations instead. Adaptations allow the blind or visually impaired to live independent lives.