Empower Wendy's Annapurna Trek to Overcome Limits

Hello! My name is Wendy, and I was born missing my right leg above the knee, and have limb differences in both my left arm and leg. I have three fingers on my left hand and a shortened left arm. My left foot was backwards at birth and was surgically corrected. I also have congenital limb shortening of my left leg. But to me, these differences have shaped me into someone resilient, adaptable, and ready to take on whatever challenge lies ahead.

I am a triathlete, adaptive athlete, and world traveler. I swim, bike, hike, ski, rock climb, kayak, and more without my prosthetic leg. I completed a strenuous 20 mile hike in Alaska with my family in the summer of 2024 after a year of adventure travel across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada in our 4x4 camper van.

Right now, I’m preparing for the adventure of a lifetime: trekking the Annapurna Circuit in the Himalayas. I am hoping to be the first female leg amputee to complete this grueling 100+ mile (260km) trek on forearm crutches, navigating elevations of over 17,000 feet and some of the most challenging terrain in the world. My dream is to show others with limb differences—and really, anyone facing their own uphill battles—that the human body and spirit are capable of amazing things.

This journey is about more than just reaching a peak; it’s about proving that having limb differences doesn’t have to limit your goals. It’s about inspiring young girls and boys, and adults too, who may be looking for proof that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. I know that when someone like me goes after something this big, it has the power to help others believe in their own strength.

But to make this dream a reality, I need a bit of help. Embarking on such a difficult trek is an expensive undertaking and will require me to purchase adaptive equipment and gear I need for the expedition. I also would like to upgrade drone and camera equipment so that we can well document the journey and share publicly to inspire and motivate others. I’m launching this GoFundMe to help cover these costs, and any support you can give will bring me one step closer to my goal.

Thank you for believing in me and in this adventure. Let’s show the world that anything is possible!