Grandmother takes on epic Everest trek for grandson with cerebral palsy – Taranaki Daily News

CHRISTINE WALSH

Last updated10:51, April 13 2017

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Rose Watemburg taking timeout to enjoy the company of her grandson Korbyn Green, 5.

New Plymouth's Rose Watemburg would move mountainsfor her five-year-old grandson Korbyn Green, who lives with cerebral palsy.

Despite having zero trampingexperience, the grandmother of three is set for a mammoth trekto Everest Base Camp on March 23, 2018,to raise awareness and funds to help empower all young people living with the condition.

CP affect'smuscle co-ordination andmovement, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth.

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Rose Watemburg taking a leisurely stroll her grandson Korbyn Green, 5.

"I can love him and hug him and do all those things, but Ican'ttake his cerebral palsy away from him to make him better.By doing things like thisthat's my way of helping him.

"By doing this I'm contributing to not just him, but helping everyone that live with it,"saidWatemburg.

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The NZ CP Society partnered with Inspired Travelsto organise the mountainous 11-dayadventure open to people aged 18 and over.

Watemburg is determined to get her physical fitness, mountaineering, and hiking skills up to scratchover the next 11 months.

"I'm gonna do it.If I put mymind to something I will make sure I succeed in this, especially for something thatmeans a lot to me."

The test of endurance paled in comparison to the obstacles her grandson faced, she said.

"He has a beautiful nature. He can'twalk or talk, but he is always smiling. He can't communicate in that way, but you can see what he wants to say can't come out."

"Through all that he loves interaction with others."

Watemburg'swhanau hope he will do all those things one day; he has a walking frame, standing frame, anda lot of essential equipment to help get him there.

The fulltime receptionist spenta lot of time fundraising to help with the youngster'smedical expenses, butneeds support to get to Nepal.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, be it monetary, donations to raffle or auction, or even hiking gear, she said.

On top of the minimum $4500 fundraising target set by all those who sign up for the trek, travel costs are expected to be more than $6000.

The registration andtravel deposit are paid, "so that's great, I did that myself and I am also saving $50 a week so that will accumulate this year - the rest will be fundraising."

"I'm quite pumped and excited, if I had a fear it might scare me from doing it."

Led byguides and Sherpas, once beyond the Katmandu city limits, she will hikethrough some of the most remote parts of the Himalayas.

"I do plan to video or get a diary to keep track of my journey."

Anyone wantingto follow her intrepid journey or lend their support can visit the Facebook siteEverest Base Camp Trek for Cerebral Palsyandtrekforcerebralpalsy@gmail.comto email.

-Stuff

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Grandmother takes on epic Everest trek for grandson with cerebral palsy - Taranaki Daily News