There are still heroes in this day and age.  One of them is Eric Weihenmayer.  He is a role model to any of us facing challenges and obstacles in our lives. He is the first blind man to successfully reach the summit of Mt. Everest .

Eric lost his sight at age 13, yet he never lost the vision of being the best he could be. Eric learned to accept his disability yet not to let it be an excuse for not accomplishing what he wanted in life.   

Eric learned to climb when he was 16. He took on the challenge of scaling rock by feeling his way for handholds.  He continued to hone his talents and soon was scaling mountains.  But even experienced mountaineers respect the ordeal of climbing Mt. Everest .

Eric did face doubts along the way. Ninety percent of the climbers who attempt Mt. Everest do not succeed.  Many do not come back alive.  The summit is at 29,000 feet and the temperatures on the slopes can be 30 degrees below zero with winds exceeding 100 mph.  Ever changing rugged terrain includes sheer ice, and deep chasms.  Eric would navigate this landscape and transverse crevasses where one false step could mean death.

While he may not be able to see, he does posses one very important skill, mental toughness.  To accomplish the goal of Everest, you have to want it.  Want it enough to put up with hardship, discomfort and even fear along the way.  

When he finally stood on the top of the world, he took the time to enjoy his great accomplishment.  His achievement pushes the limits of what people are capable of.  

There are summits everywhere - you just need to look around.   Many sighted people walk through life with less confidence than Eric -- unsure of their step, doubting their ability.  

We all have disabilities of some kind or other.  Dyslexia, allergies, scoliosis, myopia, arthritis, the list could go on and on.  We all face misfortunes, disappointments.  What's important is not focusing on our disabilities, but rather our abilities.  Each of us has special talents, unique gifts.  The trick is to discover those gifts and use them to the best of our abilities.   

Why Not be like Eric and be blind to obstacles in the path toward your goal.