Stephen Wampler

(http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs186/110169522 ())

"Mind over matter"(Dewitt), is what Stephen Wampler said as he desperately reached for the handle to pull himself up El Capitan. Stephen Wampler was born with cerebral palsy but didn't let his disability prohibit him. Instead, he scaled El Capitan to raise awareness for his foundation that supports kids like him go to camp and experience the wilderness. A hero to me must possess bravery and responsibility. Stephen Wampler is a hero because he possesses and shows bravery, responsibility, and caring for others.

Mr. Wampler (http://goeverywhere.royalrobbins.com/stephen-wampler-inside-climb-el-capitan/)

Wampler shows how he handles his responsibilities by caring for others. The most obvious way he demonstrates his caring nature is through raising awareness of his disease and foundation by scaling the longest mountain. "Mr. Wampler, who has cerebral palsy, decided to train for the climb as a promotional project of his Stephen J.Wampler Foundation, which offers wilderness experiences for children with disabilities"(Dewitt). Mr.Wampler is trying to help others just like him have the experiences he did as a kid. Wampler is a hero because to me his actions mean that he is helping people like him enjoy life as if they didn't have anything holding them back. Furthermore, Wampler also shows his responsibility by starting his own foundation that takes kids with the same disease as him and sends them to camp: "Steve was now a family man and an Environmental Engineer, but he couldn't ignore the thought of re-opening the camp that he had attended. It had closed down a few years earlier, and Steve decided he wanted to reopen it so kids like him could attend as he had"("The History of Camp Wamp"). Wampler is caring for the camp that gave him a great experience in experiencing the outdoors by re-opening the camp so others can enjoy it too. Wampler is caring by helping others by making a camp for people like him.

(http://wwcharities.com/you-better-believe-it-no-mo ())

Wampler exhibits his bravery by being daring and risking his life to defy what people say is impossible. For example, Wampler is described as, "Awe-inspiring not only for Wampler but for disabled children worldwide. Wampler, born with cerebral palsy and usually wheelchair-bound, became the first person with his disability to reach the top of El Capitan"(Hopper). Wampler is being brave by climbing El Capitan. This proves that Wampler is brave for being the first person with cerebral palsy to climb El Capitan. Wampler also shows his bravery by opening and helping out with his own camp called Camp Wampler. "The Stephen J. Wampler Foundation, or Camp Wamp, is a non-profit providing outdoor education programs for children with physical limitations. Camp Wamp has been providing life-changing outdoor education opportunities for disabled kids. Camp attendees range in age from 10-18 with a range of physical disabilities/limitations, too. The foundation started in 2002"("The History of Camp Wamp."). By opening his own Foundation or Camp Wamp proves that Wampler is brave. Wampler is also brave for help the others just like by providing life changing opportunities. Wampler is brave by showing people that anything is possible, even serving as a mentor for others. Wampler is a hero because of his bravery for proving that anything is possible by caring for others with the same disabilities like him. Wampler also demonstrates his bravery by climbing El Capitan and looking after kids just like him by creating a camp for their needs . Furthermore, Wampler displays his caring nature by raising awareness for his disease to help people understand the disease and its effect. Finally, Wampler puts his caring nature into practice by opening his very own camp that helps kids like him experience the outdoors. Wampler inspires me and others because he climbed one of the world's most difficult mountains to climb, and he did so with a handicap. I feel that Wampler showed the world that anything is possible, no matter the way you are.