After losing both legs in Afghanistan, Veteran Hari Budha Magar, establishes the world record for climbing Everest. Magar became the first ever double above-the-knee amputee to summit the world's tallest mountain. Last Friday, May 19, Magar reached the top of Everest just a little after a month of starting his journey on April 17th. Growing up in Nepal, Magar was taught about the "mythical bravery and exceptionalism of the Ghurkas." (Ghurka is a historical term for a Nepali warrior and a modern legal term for a Nepali foreign fighter.) Magar lived up to his legacy but life wasn't always easy for him.
He said, "I grew up in Nepal, up to age of 19, and I saw how the disabled people were treated in those remote villages,” he said “Many people still think that disability is a sin of previous life and you are the burden of the earth. I believed this myself because that is what I saw. That is how I grew up."
To overcome his depression, Magar decided to climb Everest and prove the doubters wrong. Disabled people had been banned from the mountain because of previous deaths, but that didn't stop Magar. Going against all odds, Magar climbed Everest, made it to the top, conquered all his struggles, and was rewarded a world record. Don't let any roadblock stop you from conquering your dreams!
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