MS no obstacle to tackling Everest

In April this year, Jennifer Willis became only the third person in the world with MS to climb Mt Everest in Nepal, while fundraising for MS research.

Jen, a mum of three, had already summited Ama Dablam (6,812m) back in October before returning to Nepal to attempt a full Everest climb, to the peak of 8,848m.

Jen returned to Australia in June, having reached an incredible 8,000m and raising over $18,400 for people living with MS, as well as the Forum for the Welfare of Himalayan Children.

'Having MS has motivated me to get going and realise my dream. Through this amazing adventure and by raising funds to help others, I am also finding a great sense of purpose in living with MS,' Jen says.

Jen was diagnosed in 2018. In late 2021, she made the decision to fundraise, while also realising her childhood dream of becoming a mountaineer.

Jen told SBS Newsopens in new tab, 'When I was about eight, my grandpa had some pictures hung up of mountaineers and some mountaineering books,' she said.

'He gave me a brooch of a mountaineering boot and an ice axe, so that was a treasure that I put away.'

There were many challenges along the way, including encountering the body of a sherpa (a local guide who supports climbers) who had passed away.

She told SBS, 'To continue climbing was a matter of having to move around where he was deceased on the rope,' Jen said.

'That moment, for me, there was definitely a question in my mind, "do I continue climbing or is this the moment I would turn around and go back down?" Not so much out of fear, but there’s no way in Australia that I would walk past someone that was very unwell or deceased and continue my journey.'

Now that her second climb is complete Jen is now no doubt busy planning her next challenge.

'I started a new medication last year, and my MS is currently stable — hooray!! At the moment, I am living well with MS. I do experience fatigue, dizziness and sensory symptoms such as burning sensations on my tongue and toes, and can face some cognitive challenges, however, overall I am fit and healthy and enjoying life!'

There is still time to donate to Jen's fundraiser, head to Jen's My Cause pageopens in new tab for more information.