Champion Paralympic athlete Chris Waddell will be in this area as part of his 10-week national tour of his Nametags, his education program, and One Revolution, the award-winning documentary of his 2009 historic climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Featured this July on ABC’s 20/20’s “Superhumans” segment, Waddell will share his inspiring story at several venues throughout the area, culminating in a screening of One Revolution at the Wilmette Theater at 7pm on Tuesday, November 15th.
Paralyzed in 1988 while ski racing for Middlebury College, Waddell went on to become one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes, earning 13 medals over seven games. He won World Championships in skiing and wheelchair racing.
Compelled to change the way that others perceive those with disabilities, Waddell founded One Revolution Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to change the way that the world sees people with disabilities by demonstrating the common journey of challenge.
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One Revolution stands for how something small can lead to something big—how one turn of the cranks can lead to the summit of 19,340-foot Mt Kilimanjaro, or how reaching one child can change the nature of our perceptions. Chris estimated that it took 528,000 such revolutions to reach the top. Chris shows students that they have the power each day to make decisions about what “Nametags” they will wear.
“Nametags is not about disability, it is about resilience and community. Chris has a wonderful ability to bring people together and inspire them to do great things.” says Donna Volpitta, Ed.D who helped design the program.
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Brandon Gell, one of the students that Chris reached with his Nametags educational program, climbed Mt Kilimanjaro in support of One Revolution. Brandon said, “Chris made me look at my life and my perceived challenges. He inspired me to be better every day.” Along with his father and sister, Brandon climbed the mountain with the goal or raising one dollar for every foot of the 19,340-foot mountain. He exceeded his goal, raising over $20,000 to help One Revolution reach others.
For further information about Chris and his foundation, visit his website at www.one-revolution.org.
