Kirk Gibson foundation's CEO prepares to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with 1 leg
Former Tigers outfielder Kirk "Gibby" Gibson created the Parkinson's foundation after he was diagnosed with the disease in 2015. The nonprofit teaches the mantra "Movement Matters," aiming to inspire people living with Parkinson's to control their symptoms through exercise.
The CEO of the foundation, Steve Annear, said his left leg was amputated when he was 11 years old. Now he walks with one leg and crutches and plans to hike 47 miles up a mountain with his wife, Shawna. The foundation is calling it the "Kilimanjaro Challenge," according to a news release.
Annear said he has trained every day, preparing for the mental and physical challenges of the climb. He says the trek up Kilimanjaro is long, but not technical. He said that because crutches occupy his arms and hands, a fall could set him back substantially.
"As long as I can stay focused on it, there's nothing on there I find particularly daunting," he said.
Annear and his wife start climbing on Aug. 25 and are projected to reach the top by Sept. 4. From now until then, any donations made to the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson's will be doubled — courtesy of the Lasch Family Foundation fund. Donation-matching will cap at $250,000.
This isn't the first time Annear raised money for the foundation; in 2022, he completed the Detroit Free Press Marathon and raised over $100,000, according to a news release.
"This is just another opportunity I have to take action and help others," said Annear.
He said his climb up Kilimanjaro will not only raise money but also symbolize the struggle of having the disease.
"People with Parkinson's, they get out of bed in the morning and have a mountain to climb that day," Annear said. "You're not always certain what that day is going to bring, but we do know that moving and exercise and positive attitude really matters."
Annear said the money donated will help support the new Kirk Gibson Center. He says the center will provide a community space and free group-exercise classes for people with Parkinson's and their families.
Annear said the facility will offer 12 different types of classes with options like boxing, yoga and spin classes. He said everyone will go through a critical assessment to place them in a class with people who have similar mobility and skill level. The center will also have community spaces where guests can play games, hang out and create community, said Annear.
He said construction on the building will be done this week, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony will be on Oct. 6. The center is located at 31440 Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills.
"Movement is medicine, and that's what we're aiming to provide through this first-of-its-kind center," said Annear.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kirk Gibson Foundation CEO to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with 1 leg
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