Motivational speaker and author Mark Wellman will share how he overcame a rock-climbing accident at 11 a.m., April 11 in the Library Quad, where he will participate in a rock-climbing demonstration.

The event will move to the University Union Redwood Room at noon where Wellman will share his experiences after his accident and the issue of physically challenged people participating in extreme sports on campus

Wellman was injured in a rock-climbing accident in 1982 at the age of 22, injuring his back and leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

After his intense recovery period, he became involved in sports and obtained an associate’s degree in park management from West Valley College in Saratoga, Calif.

Working as a Ranger Naturalist in Yosemite National Park, Wellman said he was approached by rock-climbing veteran, Mike Corbett. The two developed adaptive equipment and Wellman trained for six months.

Seven years after his accident, Wellman said he was able to climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park; the highest unbroken granite cliff in the United States.

Wellman said: “It was exciting to be back on the rock. I knew I was hurt in a climbing accident- it’s like jumping back on the horse.”

The rope-ascending device used by rock climber was modified with a pull-up bar. In the eight days it took the pair to climb El Capitan, Wellman also completed 7,000 pull-ups.

“It was fun to leave the wheelchair down at the bottom of the cliff,” Wellman said.

Wellman said he has a recumbent bicycle he uses to train. He also does cross-country skiing with his arms and lifts weights. His main focus when training is to build strength and endurance.

After completing two climbs and speaking around the country, a publisher approached Wellman and proposed that he write a book.

Wellman’s book, “Climbing Back” is an autobiography that gives details of his accident and achievements. John Flinn from the San Francisco Chronicle helped Wellman write his biography.

Wellman said having help from another writer made it so much easier.

“It’s hard to write about yourself,” Wellman said.

In addition to being an extreme athlete and traveling to give lectures, Wellman also has his own business, No Limits.

He also produces videos about disabled people participating in adventure sports to spread awareness. The videos are seen on TV, in college classrooms, disabled organizations and can also be individually purchased for private use.

Wellman’s goal for this lecture is to open eyes to show disabled people can partake in adventure sports and to encourage students to get be more excited about being outdoors by trying activities such as skiing, hiking or rock climbing.

“It’s about re-charging batteries,” Wellman said.

“Don’t give up because something is hard to do or if something happens in your life. Turn something negative into something positive,” Wellman said.

For more information visit Wellman’s Web site at http://www.nolimitstahoe.com

Linda Le can be reached at [email protected]