We're honored to be longtime friends of Life in Motion International, a non-profit organization that's dedicated to making the future brighter for orphans and children with disabilities around the world. Life in Motion's mission is to bring awareness and support to these children through taking on epic adventures, like trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, and Elbrus! Inspiring, isn't it?! We're excited to be partnering with them once again for our second WHOAx: Mount Elbrus Expedition. Together, we are going to climb beside Polina, as she reaches her goal of summiting Mount Elbrus - the highest mountain in Russia and Europe! Get to know Life in Motion and Polina a little better here...
ETO POLINA!
(MEET POLINA!)
Polina is a 18 years old girl who lives in the Far East Russian city of Khabarovsk, and her dream is to reach the summit of Europe’s tallest mountain, Mount Elbrus. Sure, this is no ordinary dream, but she's no ordinary young woman…
Polina was born with a deformed leg and was unable to walk independently. Back then, her dream was simply to be able to walk on her own. In 2016, Life in Motion International’s I Want To Walk program provided her with a trip to Texas’ Scottish Rite Hospital for Children for a life changing surgery and prosthetics. Polina overcame phantom pain and months of rehabilitation, but now walks (and runs) on her own! Her determination, creativity, and positive energy was and continues to be an inspiration to everyone around her. She's currently in high school and wants to study art in university and become an illustrator and fashion designer (check out her sketches above - she's one talented lady)! Polina wants to climb Mount Elbrus to prove to herself, other children born with disabilities, and the world that you can always conquer new peaks! She's looking forward to using what she learned from her last climb in 2017, to reach the summit and stand on Europe's highest peak!
LIVING A LIFE IN MOTION...
Photo Credit: Steve Remich
Originally founded in 1994, Life in Motion International’s mission is to bring awareness and support to children and young adults faced with physical challenges.
Life in Motion’s I Want To Walk program was founded by Dr. Natasha Shaginian-Needham to help orphaned children obtain their dream of walking - whether this means physically being able to walk, or walking out of an orphanage to lead the life they always dreamed of. In Russia, for example, orthopedic treatment is very expensive, and few are given the opportunity to receive it. That's where Life in Motion’s I Want to Walk program comes in to help children receive these life changing treatments and give them the support they need during and afterwards to go to university and become successful young adults. Through the program, many children have received treatment and prosthetics at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, Texas, and now are able to make their first steps on their own towards reaching their dreams!
Life in Motion is more than just a name - it’s a guiding philosophy that is reflected in everything they do. Since 2012, they have summited Mount Kilimanjaro three times with young hikers who have physical disabilities to fundraise and bring awareness to the cause. In 2016, a group with the same mission conquered Everest Base Camp, and, in 2017, WHOA partnered with Life in Motion for our first Mount Elbrus climb. The resilience, determination and strength of these young adventurers is a true inspiration to all!