Bayfield climber leads team to summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro

Lori Schneider returned to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro on Monday, roughly 18 years after she climbed the peak with her father and began a journey to the seven tallest summits around the world.

The path took a difficult turn in 1999, when Schneider was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but she turned the challenge into Empowerment Through Adventure and led others by example.

Fourteen of the 29 people in Schneider's climbing party have either MS or Parkinson's disease.

What this wonderful group of people with MS and Parkinson's has done is incredible," said Schneider, a Janesville native who now lives in Bayfield.

"When I was first diagnosed with MS I ran away from my life in fear. I left a 22-year marriage, a 20-year teaching career, sold my house, left my community and tried to run from my MS diagnosis.

"That changed when I reached the top of the world, becoming the first person with MS to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The idea behind the Kilamanjaro Leap of Faith Adventure was for me t share the lessons I have learned about believing in yourself and following your dreams. I think it's worked."