Alumnus
Blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer inspires us to live a “No Barriers” life, and is a prime example of the success of HKIS’ vision to nurture socially engaged, collaborative, creative, and resilient learners dedicated to realizing their full potential.
A disease called retinoschisis robbed Erik of his vision by the age of 13, but he did not allow that to slow him down – he went on to become a middle school teacher and wrestling coach in Phoenix, Arizona, and a world-class acrobatic skydiver, long distance biker, marathon runner, skier, mountaineer, ice climber, and rock climber.
On May 25, 2001, he became the only blind person to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. In 2008 he climbed Carstensz Pyramid in Papua New Guinea, completing the Seven Summits, the highest point on every continent.
His many feats have earned him an ESPY award, recognition by Time magazine for one of the greatest sporting achievements of 2001, induction into the US National Wrestling Hall of Fame, an ARETE Award for superlative athletic performance, the Helen Keller Lifetime Achievement award, and the Freedom Foundation Award.
Erik co-founded an organization called No Barriers, of which the motto is “What’s within you is stronger than what’s in your way.”
He is also the author of three books. His new book, No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon, is the story of his personal and professional struggles in the pursuit of growth, learning, and family, as well as a dream to kayak one of the world’s great rivers. More importantly, it is a story of the many people he encountered along the way who possess a No Barriers Mindset: people who have risked failure, transcended personal barriers, and shown others a way forward. No Barriers can be purchased on Amazon.com.
Erik’s award-winning film Farther Than The Eye Can See is an intimate look inside one of the most successful Mount Everest expeditions ever.
Erik has recently released his third book: No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon. This is the story of his personal and professional struggles in the pursuit of growth, learning, and family, as well as a dream to kayak one of the world’s great rivers. More importantly, it is a story of the many people he encountered along the way who possess a No Barriers Mindset: people who have risked failure, transcended personal barriers, and shown others a way forward. No Barriers can be purchased on Amazon.com.