Paralysis won’t keep this US soldier from scaling Kili

Moshi. A retired US soldier who is partly paralysed, Mr Carlos Moleda, on Saturday started climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mr Moleda was full of confidence to conquer the highest mountain in Africa in spite of his physical disability
According to him, he was paralysed 26 years ago while on a military operation in Panama.
The ex-marine officer is accompanied by his wife, Sarah and 12 colleagues.
He said he visited the White House recently to inform President Barack Obama on his adventure.
“I know scaling Mt Kilimanjaro is no easy task given my condition but if God wishes, I will reach the summit and make history,” he said before commencing the trek which would take five to six days.
He added that being disabled was no excuse for not ascending the mountain.
He noted that he would forget the agony of his disability once he makes it to the snow-capped summit, some 5,895 metres above sea level.
Mr John Macha, a tourist guide with the Arusha-based World Wide Trekking which organised a trip, said Mr Moleda has shown he was keen and able to conquer Africa’s rooftop.
The expedition team is accompanied by 70 porters and cooks.
Kilimanjaro Mountain is one of the leading tourist attractions in Tanzania.  It draws about 60,000 visitors from across the world every year.
The first  ascent to the summit of the mountain was recorded by two German explorers, Mr Hans Meyer and Mr Ludwing Purtscheller in 1889.
 In recent years, the mountain has been the core of many scientific studies due to its shrinking glaciers.