WAUWATOSA, Wis. — Every day comes with its challenges for Matt Panelli. He has multiple sclerosis (MS) and is also a cancer survivor.
What You Need To Know
- Matt Panelli was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014
- Panelli wants to challenge himself and inspire others so he's training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
- He plans on raising awareness for MS along the way
“Numbness in both my legs from the knees down,” said Panelli. “Numbness in my arms from the elbow up. Bladder and bowel issues.”
MS is an autoimmune disease that impacts the central nervous system. He said the disease brings chronic pain and the fear of the future.
“Multiple sclerosis put hurdles in front of to me that was going to make normal life even more difficult,” said Panelli.
At the beginning of the year, Panelli decided he wanted to take control of his condition and do something to challenge himself and inspire others living with a chronic illness.
He’s going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.
“August 3rd of 2024 will be my first steps upwards and it should take about five days,” said Panelli. “It’s 54 miles.”
He’s been training daily to prepare for the climb, especially his legs.
“It’s the weakest spot on my whole body,” said Panelli. “From the hip and the stability because one, it controls my balance and stability and it’s the power that’s going to help me get up there.”
While scaling the mountain is an accomplishment in itself, he said he wants to raise awareness on MS along the way.
“In 2014 when I was diagnosed with MS, I had no idea what it was and had to start looking it up,” said Panelli. “If people might hear this story and say ‘MS, what the heck is that?’ It gives them curiosity if they ever see me to ask.”
Panelli said he is hopeful his journey will inspire others to follow their dreams even if there are hurdles along the way.
He plans to document his climb to the top and is asking the community to help sponsor his journey through a GoFundMe.