Southwest Orlando Bulletin
This article can be found be visiting http://www.southwestorlandobulletin.com/directorytext.asp?id=2417
by Rita Devlin
Charles Norman is a professional healer. As a firefighter, flight medic, Coast Guard reservist and registered nurse, he has made a life and career of helping people in need.
For 10 years, Charles and his wife, Elena, had an idea on their hearts that grew out of a shared passion to help others.
“A snow shoe creates a greater base that supports greater weight and allows you to cover more ground,” Elena said.
When one of her friends began to experience serious episodes as a result of multiple sclerosis, The Snow Shoe Club was born out of the Normans’ desire to take action and generate momentum and awareness for MS.
The Normans, who reside in the St. Ives neighborhood of Orange Tree, refer to The Snow Shoe Club as a family project that brings good people and good causes together. Its inaugural event will begin July 19, when Charles sets out to summit Mount Rainier in Washington as a way to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Charles chose Mount Rainier, which claims the lives of several climbers each year, for its level of difficulty. At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is an active volcano encased in 35 miles of glacier ice. During the seven days he is on the mountain, Charles expects to fully experience the effects of acute mountain sickness, which can be similar to symptoms suffered by people with MS. Among others, these symptoms can include headaches, vomiting, lack of coordination and cognition, and fatigue.
The last two years of his life have been spent preparing mentally and physically for this climb. As a trained rescuer, Charles understands his limits, as well as the dangers presented by this adventure. His preparations have included running, reading about the mountain, stair-climbing and solid dress rehearsals on snow-covered Colorado peaks.
While Charles ascends Mount Rainier with a team of experienced guides, Elena and Victor, the Normans’ 6-year-old son, will be in the Seattle area keeping track of him via scheduled satellite phone calls. A steady support, Elena is confident in her husband’s cautiousness, capability and dedication to safety first.
With a sense of urgency in his voice, Charles said, “I hope I’m able to make an impact on MS. I’ve been a professional healer my whole life. Now, I want to be able to help find a cure.”
For more information about Charles Norman’s expedition, visit www.thesnowshoeclub.com on the Web. The Mid Florida chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society also has additional information about MS, which affects nearly 10,000 Central Florida residents. Visit the Web site at flc.nationalmssociety.org.
by Rita Devlin
Charles Norman is a professional healer. As a firefighter, flight medic, Coast Guard reservist and registered nurse, he has made a life and career of helping people in need.
For 10 years, Charles and his wife, Elena, had an idea on their hearts that grew out of a shared passion to help others.
“A snow shoe creates a greater base that supports greater weight and allows you to cover more ground,” Elena said.
When one of her friends began to experience serious episodes as a result of multiple sclerosis, The Snow Shoe Club was born out of the Normans’ desire to take action and generate momentum and awareness for MS.
The Normans, who reside in the St. Ives neighborhood of Orange Tree, refer to The Snow Shoe Club as a family project that brings good people and good causes together. Its inaugural event will begin July 19, when Charles sets out to summit Mount Rainier in Washington as a way to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Charles chose Mount Rainier, which claims the lives of several climbers each year, for its level of difficulty. At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is an active volcano encased in 35 miles of glacier ice. During the seven days he is on the mountain, Charles expects to fully experience the effects of acute mountain sickness, which can be similar to symptoms suffered by people with MS. Among others, these symptoms can include headaches, vomiting, lack of coordination and cognition, and fatigue.
The last two years of his life have been spent preparing mentally and physically for this climb. As a trained rescuer, Charles understands his limits, as well as the dangers presented by this adventure. His preparations have included running, reading about the mountain, stair-climbing and solid dress rehearsals on snow-covered Colorado peaks.
While Charles ascends Mount Rainier with a team of experienced guides, Elena and Victor, the Normans’ 6-year-old son, will be in the Seattle area keeping track of him via scheduled satellite phone calls. A steady support, Elena is confident in her husband’s cautiousness, capability and dedication to safety first.
With a sense of urgency in his voice, Charles said, “I hope I’m able to make an impact on MS. I’ve been a professional healer my whole life. Now, I want to be able to help find a cure.”
For more information about Charles Norman’s expedition, visit www.thesnowshoeclub.com on the Web. The Mid Florida chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society also has additional information about MS, which affects nearly 10,000 Central Florida residents. Visit the Web site at flc.nationalmssociety.org.
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