Feeling thirsty? Most often, that brief longing for hydration can be quenched by a quick trip to your kitchen tap, (unless you’re blessed enough to indulge in a Brita water filter). But what if access to drinking water wasn’t so easy? What if, instead of 15 steps, you had to walk 15 kilometres to a source of replenishment? Sadly, this is the case for millions of people in developing nations like Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tunisia, where sources of clean, drinkable water are scarce.
It’s a sad reality, but it’s not entirely unsolvable. And according to Spencer West, nothing is impossible.
West is a self-proclaimed “normal” guy who loves swimming, mountain climbing, and playing Mario Kart. He may argue that he is no different from you, but at a total height of two-foot-seven, many (mis)perceive him as otherwise. Born with sacral genesis, a genetic disorder that affected his lower spine and prevented him from uncrossing his legs, West underwent surgery to remove his lower limbs at the age of five.
Initially, West felt like he would never become a contributing member of society. But today, with the support of friends, family, and thousands of people across the world, he is now part of a movement that has successfully brought clean water access to 100,000 people.
Since 2008, West has been “redefining possible” by taking on a series of seemingly impossible feats, including a gruelling climb up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro and, most recently, a 300-kilometre trek from Edmonton to Calgary. In the past five years, West has transcended his physical differences and proven that he is far from what many once referred to him as: “disabled.”
It all started when his friend asked him to volunteer to build a school in Kenya for underprivileged children. Feeling discontent with his job and detached from material positions, West heavily contemplated the option.
“When my friend invited me to go to Kenya, I was like, ‘That’s crazy. I can’t find happiness here in North America, I’m not gonna find it in Kenya,’” says West. Alas, he took a leap of faith and hasn’t looked back since.
“That was my biggest fear: trusting my gut and going on my own,” he says. “Once I overcame that and stopped listening to what society said, and did what I thought was right for me, that’s when things started to get better.”
Upon sharing his story with a group of children in Kenya, a young girl expressed that she didn’t know something as traumatic as losing one’s legs “could happen to white people, too.” That one phrase inspired West to use his story to motivate people to not only look at challenges differently, but to “get involved with something they’re passionate about.” He found solace in joining forces with “Free the Children” and immediately began his journey to bring sustainable clean water projects to communities inflicted by severe drought.
Today, West serves as an international leadership facilitator in Kenya, India, and at the Arizona-Mexico border. He also leads hundreds of volunteer students on the “Me to We” foundation’s international trips. Last June, the world watched as West conquered Mount Kilimanjaro and raised more than $500,000 for his cause. He used his wheelchair for part of the walk, but tackled about 80 per cent of the trek on his hands. Despite the difficult terrain and his friends’ violent confrontation with altitude sickness, West admits it wasn’t his toughest challenge.
“The challenge for We Walk 4Water was actually much harder than Kilimanjaro,” says West, referring to his most recent hike from Edmonton to Calgary. “We were doing about 30 kilometres a day, which is almost a full marathon, for 11 days. It was the same motion over and over again … so your joints were just destroyed by the end.”
West decided to embark on the walk with his two closest friends after learning that during the dry season in Narok, Kenya, the average family must travel 15 kilometres to access clean water. Additionally, about 80 per cent of serious illnesses in developing countries are connected to poor water and sanitation. Determined to find a solution and raise awareness, West walked in solidarity with those suffering in developing nations and was joined by the likes of singer/songwriter Nelly Furtado, Survivor winner Ethan Zahn, and actor J.R Martinez.
According to West, he was overwhelmed by the public response, and was particularly optimistic about the support he continues to receive from young children.
“Those are the kids that inspire me: that work so hard to overcome bullying, that work so hard to raise money to build a school, that work so hard to run the campaigns,” says West. “And that’s why I continue to do what I do, because they are the ones that are effecting the biggest change.”
West’s best friend, Alex Meers, joined him on both excursions and attributes West’s success to how he makes people feel when they are around him.
“He is just a genuine person who pushes his own limits and encourages others to do the same in their own way,” says Meers. “It’s rare to come across meaningful friendships with people who encourage you to bring out your best.”
He and West both agree that it doesn’t require losing your legs or having a traumatic experience to become a motivational speaker or to make a positive impact on the world.
“I think it’s really important to look at something that you’re passionate about and [be] able to talk about that correctly,” says West. “With any journey, you have to take some risks and step outside of your comfort zone in order to move, in order to grow. At the end of the day, regardless of whatever I’m doing, I just want to know that I did everything that I could to make the world a better place.”
More facts about Spencer West
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres or 19,341 feet above sea level (the Uhuru Peak/Kibo Peak). Spencer climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in seven days, mostly on his hands.
This year, “Free the Children” has reached its overall goal of providing 100,000 people with clean water through “We Create Change,” “We Walk 4Water,” online donations, and sales from its Water Rafiki Friendship Chain.
Photos: Free the Children