He did it! Son1, 15, made the summit of Kilimanjaro!

Tania writes...

For those of you who have been interested in Aspie Son1's expedition to Africa, a quick update.

He made it to the summit of Kilimanjaro! He wasn't alone, of course. Luca was one of seven boys and three team leaders in their group to make the very summit, Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point on 23rd July 2013.

I had heard the numbers already from the wonderful Suzi at school, but did not know if Luca was among the ones who had made it to the very top as, despite strength and training, there are many factors that can intervene.

Congratulations to Luca and to all the boys who made the ascent, in both teams, shepherded by teachers, Sherpas and the action men from World Challenge, whether they managed the final push or not. Let's not forget, they are all at a specialist school, although those still with physical difficulties would, of course, not have chosen to make the trip. And, they are all aged 15-17.

They have already laid a classroom floor and dug drainage trenches at their twin school, got to know the children, played football with them and cooked for them. They are now on safari before returning home next week.

I dreamed on Thursday night I was with my boy and he told me then he had made it to the top. It was such a vivid dream that I knew it must be true. But real-life confirmation came from Will Scrace's mum, Collette, and made me burst into tears with relief - many thanks to Collette.

Thanks to everyone who has commented with kind words here and on Facebook - it's really appreciated and will be something I can show Luca when he returns. If you'd like to leave a comment, that would be brilliant - they've all worked so hard.

Happy weekend!

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Tania Tirraoro

Founder, Co-Director at Special Needs Jungle

Founder of Special Needs Jungle. (She/Her) Parent of two young adults with autism. New grandma. Tania, who is autistic, is a leading SEND advisor, working with the Special Education Consortium, Ofsted, and Whole School SEND. She is also an Advisory Board member of the Royal Holloway, University of London Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and an Editorial Board member of Springer Nature Gene Therapy journal.
Tania is an experienced broadcast and print journalist & author. She also runs a PR, web & social media consultancy, SocialOro Media.
Tania is a rare disease & chronic pain patient advocate with Ehlers Danlos syndrome.

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