DeafBlind Everest Project

Hi, I’m Caroline — and I’m on a mission to be the first DeafBlind person to summit Mount Everest!

I have Usher Syndrome, a rare condition that affects both hearing and sight. My vision started to deteriorate when I was 19. It’s a slow process, but I know that my remaining sight is limited — and that makes the timing of this mission even more urgent.

In May 2023, I trekked to Everest Base Camp. That trip changed everything. It sparked a bold, almost unbelievable idea: What if I became the first DeafBlind person to reach the top of the world?

I know a Deaf person has summited Everest. A Blind person too. But DeafBlind? Not yet. And if I’m ever going to do it, it has to be soon.

I'm not a professional athlete. I'm not backed by big sponsors or private funding. I’m just a PhD student with a wild dream, a lot of determination, and a backpack full of climbing gear. But I believe that if I don’t try, I’ll never know what’s possible.

I also want to use this journey to raise awareness and bring better representation to the DeafBlind community. Climbing Everest is more than a personal goal — it’s a chance to challenge assumptions about a hidden disability and show what’s possible with the right support.

Every summit takes training — and funding.

Here’s a look at what I’ve done so far and what’s coming next:

But this journey isn’t a solo effort. As a DeafBlind person, I’ll need a dedicated team: sighted guides, interpreters, climbing support. That means my costs are more than double those of a typical climber. On top of that, there’s specialist gear, accessible tech, flights, training, and insurance.

Will you help me reach my next goal?

Right now, I’m fundraising £10,000 for my next major climb: Himlung Himal in October 2025. Every donation — big or small — brings me closer to Everest. You’ll be supporting not just the climb, but a mission to:

Whether you can donate, share my story, or cheer me on, thank you for being part of this journey.

(Alternatively, to support my charity fundraising efforts for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and Millimetres 2 Mountains Foundation, visit my givestar page here.)

Thank you so much for your support,

Caroline