|
Contact:
Tom Davis
Troy Office of University Relations
334/670-3196
tomdavis@troy.edu
Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)
| Former TSU lecturer's life story to be published |
| Erik
Weihenmayer, the world-class mountain climber who lost his eyesight
at age 13, is publishing a book about his experiences. Weihenmayer
is also a former presenter at TSU's annual Helen Keller Lecture
Series. Weihenmayer's book, "Touch the Top of the World-A Blind Man's Journey to Climb Farther than the Eye Can See," will be released in February by Dutton Books. Weihenmayer, who spoke at TSU in 1998, was one of the more popular lecturers in the Keller Series. The first blind man to scale Mt. McKinley in Alaska, Weihenmayer has also reached the summit of Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest point outside Asia. Other firsts for Weihenmayer include climbing El Capitan, the 3,000-foot rock wall in Yosemite National Park and Polar Circus, a 3,000-foot vertical ice wall in Alberta, Canada. In "Touch the Top of the World," Weihenmayer recalls his struggle to deal with losing his sight and the role his family's support played in winning that battle. Weihenmayer is scheduled to begin his assault on Mt. Everest, the world's highest peak, March 23. Between climbs, Weihenmayer continues his lecture schedule, speaking to more than 40,000 people a year on the importance of striving to achieve personal dreams no matter the obstacles. Troy State University's annual Helen Keller Lecture Series is designed to promote awareness of people with disabilities, particularly those who excel in their chosen fields despite physical limitations. The lecture, presented each spring semester, is sponsored by the colleges of Education and Health and Human Services at Troy State University, the Helen Keller Eye Research Foundation and the State Department of Education Division of Instructional Services, Special Education Services. |