News > One man's mountain

Created: 2006-06-30 15:38:24

In April 2008 Stuart Baker-Brown hopes to become the first person with schizophrenia to climb Mount Everest. He is determined to prove to the world that there's more to him than his mental illness, and raise money for SANE.

Stuart, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1996, will struggle against sub-zero temperatures and fatigue to scale the North Face of the world’s highest mountain.

"Everest is symbolic of my own mountain of struggle with schizophrenia," he says. "It also represents the great effort needed to fight the discrimination and stigma attached to severe mental illness."

The 41-year-old from Dorset fell in love with the Himalayas when he successfully trekked to Everest Base Camp in 2003. Last year he attempted to climb another Himalayan peak, Mera, but heavy snowfall prevented him from summitting.

"It’s about trying to do it," he says. "If I do not make it because of the elements I will not see it as a failure. I will be more upset if I fail as a result of my illness. It is the mind that is our biggest hurdle."

Stuart has kindly offered to use his climb to raise awareness and funds for SANE and we hope his determination and courage will be an inspiration to others.

"We applaud Stuart’s efforts to fight the stigma surrounding severe mental illness," said SANE’s chief executive, Marjorie Wallace. "It is important that people like Stuart show the world that having schizophrenia doesn't have to prevent you from achieving remarkable things or going to great heights."

To find out more about Stuart and and his expedition to Everest visit www.onemansmountain.com.