Community Corner
CHS Student Overcomes Obstacles, Climbing Mountains, and Helping Others See
Joe Szalkiewicz is a 10th grader at Carlsbad High School with a goal to bring vision to 6,960 South Americans during his next hike.
In 2004 Joe Szalkiewicz fell into an empty pool and cracked his skull. "My vison began to abandon me. Within months of the fall, I was outfitted with my first pair of glasses, Harry Potter style," wrote on YouTube.
In 2008 Joe summitted of Mount Whitney at the age of 10. He made a goal to climb the highest mountain on each and every continent.
His trip trip is to Aconcagua, but with an additional mission beyond just getting to the top.
"After realizing hundreds of millions of people do not get to enjoy any views, let alone the breathtaking views I've experienced from Kilimanjaro and Elbrus, I've dedicated the third of my Seven Summit venture to brining awareness to this reality. Aconcagua has become a summit dedicated to bringing vision to 6,960 South Americans for whom seeing clearly is their own personal summit."
For more information on donating glasses Joe can bring to South Americans and more on Joe's inspirational story, watch the youtube video above this article.
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