They carry them high, because that's where their dreams reach. Over 100 people with disabilities can admire the beauty of the Tatras thanks to the “Sherpas of Hope”. Volunteers help reach Morskie Oko, the Valley of Five Lakes or Hala Gąsienicowa. This is the third edition of the campaign.
– The luggage is noble, we have been preparing here all year to move our Treasures high up to where their dreams are – says Paweł Gramacki, a volunteer of the “Sherpas of Hope” Foundation, about his charges.
The Sherpas of Hope set off again to the Tatra Mountains, and with the Treasures, as they call their protégés, they once again traversed the trails and conquered the peaks.
Some people went to the mountains already on Friday, but most of them were there on Saturday.
In spite of the difficult reality
– About 120 Treasures, all people on the trail over 540, and 290 volunteers. This large number also includes carers who go on the trail with us – enumerates Marta Mazur-Sokołowska, vice-president of the “Sherpas of Hope” Foundation.
They go to remind people with disabilities, and perhaps not only them, that the mountains are for everyone.
– We help them get in, we can carry them in, we can look after the kids, relieve the parents a little, and together we can just be in the mountains, enjoy this beauty, this nature – emphasizes Aleksandra Majocha, a volunteer of the “Sherpas of Hope” Foundation.
– They want to live a normal life, they want to do cool things, even crazy things, and we want to give them this opportunity – says Daria Czarnecka, a volunteer at the “Sherpas of Hope” Foundation.
Firefighters with equipment climb Śnieżka to promote bone marrow donationMarta Balukiewicz/Fakty po Południe TVN24
In spite of the harsh reality. In the case of Mrs. Anna, the future looked completely different just a few years ago.
– I was a fit person, I studied aviation, it was my passion, I did glider training, and unfortunately, that was it – recalls Anna Paluch, a protégé of the “Sherpas of Hope” Foundation.
The plans were ruined by a cruel diagnosis: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The disease progresses rapidly.
– No one came to her, no one visited her, she was also embarrassed that she was in a wheelchair. Everyone distanced themselves from her, friends, family, so it was a very big blow for her, and in the Sherpas she found this love – says Jolanta Paluch, Mrs. Anna's mother. – For Ania, the trip is such a happiness that she can leave the house, meet people she likes – agrees Andrzej Paluch, Mrs. Anna's father.
“Enjoy what's left. Even though you may not be on your own two feet anymore”
In addition to mountain operations, the Sherpas visit the 30-year-old at home, organize a grand birthday party for her, and take her on walks. “They gave me the belief that it's still possible. We have security, we have doctors, nurses, we take equipment, a respirator,” says Anna Paluch.
– In June, when she said on Karba that her great dream was to climb Giewont, we thought that nothing is impossible – says Daria Czarnecka.
Mrs. Anna – despite increasingly severe breathing and swallowing problems – reached the summit. In this part of the campaign, Skarby and her escort also conquered, among others, Niżnie Rysy and Świnica.
– Everyone would like to be Santa Claus, not only in December, but also on every other day of the year, and we succeed – says Krzysztof Sobczyk, a volunteer of the “Sherpas of Hope” Foundation.
– This desire to live returns, the desire to see something, that a person… can still feel this freedom, enjoy what is left. Even though maybe not on their own feet – sums up Anna Paluch.