This is a first they say! Jeffrey Gottfurcht, 38-year old founder of The Jeffrey Gottfurcht Children's Arthritis Foundation, is on his way to becoming the first rheumatoid arthritis patient to climb Mount Everest at 29,035 feet. Gottfurcht climbed mountains since he was a teen, but was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when he was 28 years old. For two years after his diagnosis, severe symptoms prevented him from climbing. But he refused to accept a prognosis that he would be functionally immobile within 10 years. He vowed to climb again and did -- Mt. Elbrus in Russia, Mt. Rainer in Washington, and Pico de Orizaba in Mexico.
Gottfurcht's foundation hopes to inspire and generate awareness for rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis -- while being a wish-granting organization. Children with juvenile arthritis from the age of 4 to 21, or a member of their health care team or family, can submit a dream request to the foundation. If the child's doctor approves, the foundation works to make it happen.
If you are interested in following along -- here is the Mt. Everest route and the latest news about his progress. And a bit about it all on FOX News.
Related Resources:
- Juvenile Arthritis Screening Quiz
- Arthritis Is a Children's Disease Too
- More About Juvenile Arthritis
- Inspiration and Arthritis
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