Climbing Everest for Coeliac New Zealand

I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2010 at age 9. I spent the majority of my early years dealing with sore stomachs and a lack of energy, I don't have much memory of primary school around the time of my diagnosis because I was not often present. As a teenager, it's been frustrating and limiting, I've always felt like a hassle to cater to, and as a result, I've cheated many times and damaged my small intestine. I would not wish this disease upon anyone, gluten is very hard to cut entirely out of a diet and not deal with social anxieties.

Unfortunately, this isn't uncommon and 75% of coeliacs remain undiagnosed in New Zealand. Being intolerant to gluten isn't easy and even the smallest amounts of gluten can damage the lining of one's small intestine, prevent the absorption of nutrients and inflame the body.

Coeliac New Zealand is a not-for-profit that raises awareness and provides support to people with coeliac disease, their whanau, and the wider community. It is an agent for change.

Starting on the 4th of August, I will begin climbing Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill across two weekends, all day until I complete 8,849 metres of elevation - the height of Mt Everest. I will summit my local mountain 123 times to raise funds to help people like me. Over 2000m elevation daily.

I am giving myself just 4 days to complete this challenge.

*Weather permitted, the backup weekend is the 20th of August.