By Melissa Phy
With spirits higher than his impending 18,000-foot climb up Mt. Everest, Ramonan Alan Truitt isn’t letting his Parkinson’s Disease get in the way of life goals—including finding a possible cure for his condition and many other diseases.
The 24-year resident was diagnosed with the degenerative disorder in 2009, just after he reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2008.
“I had symptoms, but I had not been diagnosed,” Truitt said. “I had lost almost all of my sense of smell… one of my fingers was moving around weird, but I didn’t think much of it.”
Living with Parkinson’s now for nearly four years, the avid hiker is ready to face his newest climbing challenge: Mt. Everest, which he will hike to the base camp with members of a group known as Summit4StemCell.
“As I have gotten older, one of my goals is to live more in the now—moment to moment, not dwelling on the future,” Truitt said. “For much of my life I have been lucky enough to work, travel, trek and climb in some pretty exciting places with fantastic people. When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s I thought my adventures were over. All I could think about was the future of my disease, and to accept how little control I had over my life.”
Truitt’s Everest group consists of hikers who have Parkinson’s or those with close family members or friends afflicted with the disease. Together, Truitt, his son and the members of Summit4StemCell will make a three-week trek to the giant Himalayan peak in October in an effort to bring more awareness to non-embryonic stem cell research that could one day reverse Truitt’s symptoms and disease as a whole.
According to Sherrie Gould, nurse practitioner at Scripps Clinic Movement Disorders Center and the architect of the Mt. Everest base-camp climb: “The goal of the trek is to draw attention and support to an amazing breakthrough in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease that could put the lives of those with Parkinson’s back on track: using stem cells created from a patient’s own skin.”
Truitt is one of eight candidates that will receive the stem cell treatment once enough money is raised—$2.5 million. Right now, Summit4Cells has raised $500,000 and Truitt is hoping their trek, which is paid for completely out of pocket by each hiker, will bring more awareness and donations.
Ground costs for hikers are about $4,100 and airfare is another $2,000.
Once fundraising is complete, the stem cell therapy needs to be FDA-approved, after which Truitt can receive the surgery that could reverse his Parkinson’s symptoms, as well as many other diseases.
“This isn’t just for Parkinson’s… they can make anything with stem cells,” Truitt said of Summit4StemCells. “It’s not just an opportunity for me, it’s an opportunity for everyone.”
The retired 63-year-old has been training for his October Everest trek since April, calling the trip an “inspiration for anyone with any type of ailment who’s willing to push themselves.”
“I think that no matter what kind of physical shape you’re in, the elevation and altitude is always a challenge,” Truitt said, noting he’s not worried about his Parkinson’s symptoms standing in the way of the hike. “I’ve been higher than this before… you just never know. Even the professional climbers get altitude sickness.”
For now, Truitt will continue to hike regularly in Ramona and beyond to train for the Mt. Everest climb, saying exercise is “key” with Parkinson’s, as it helps the brain use dopamine more efficiently.
“I climb Mt. Gower almost every other day, and on my off days I ride my bicycle,” he said. "I'm looking forward to Mt. Everest... it's really about the journey."
Want to help out Truitt and give to the Summit4StemCell? Donate here online.
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