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 Since
our return to Kathmandu, 50th anniversary celebrations of
the first ascent of Mount Everest have been in full swing
all around the city. One of the biggest events was a May 29th
ceremony organized by the Everest Golden Jubilee Committee
to honor Everest summiteers from Nepal and overseas.
Prime Minister
Chand, who gave silver medals to the summiteers in attendance,
told me that he had followed the Team Everest expedition and
commented on what
a great achievement it was.
King Gyanendra
and Queen Komal also attended the latter part of the ceremony
and gave audience to those who had summited. It was an honor
to be a part of this historic occasion.
The
entire summit team had an extremely enjoyable night at the
infamous Rum Doodle Restaurant, where those who have reached
the peak of Everest receive free drinks and food for the rest
of their lives. It was a great honor to sign my name alongside
all those who summited before me. We were joined by many friends
and well wishers who believe in the mission of our expedition.
 This
was perhaps one of the best days of my life. Thanks
to everyone for allowing me to achieve this dream and enjoy
this special time in Nepal.
 We
are proud to announce that Namgya Sherpa, one of our amazing
summit team Sherpa, was honored in a special ceremony held
by Topke Gholla District Committee in Taplejung near Kanchenjunga.
He is the first person from his district to summit Mount Everest.
The ceremony consisted of several speeches honoring Namgya,
as well as the giving of MANY ceremonial katas (white
scarves). The entire summit team was honored with katas
and sindor, the red powder on our faces and heads.
Team Everest is about the amazing power of the human spirit
and Namgya demonstrated this throughout the entire expedition.
His professionalism and belief in the TE '03 message will
always be an inspiration to many Nepali and Americans alike.
The message of TE '03 was also celebrated by the Nepal
Society of the Disabled. I was invited to be a guest speaker
at a gathering of individuals from this organization, and
received many katas, flowers and a traditional Nepalese
topi (hat).
 I
had the opportunity to speak of the importance of raising
awareness of the unlimited potential of persons with disabilities,
both in America and in Nepal, in setting goals and realizing
dreams, and in realizing that people with disabilities should
be treated equally and fairly.
Nepal has many barriers to overcome, barriers that are very
similar to those that people in the USA face, a fact that
baffles me when comparing a country as rich as America to
one as poor as Nepal. I spoke of the basic rights of all people
to live and work in the community of their choice, as well
as to have the freedom to explore.
 I
answered questions from the press and committed to forming
a partnership
with the NSD to facilitate making changes that are desperately
needed in Nepal. The event was covered by the local news,
as well as in all the newspapers in Kathmandu.
Thanks to everyone for allowing me to achieve this dream
and enjoy this special time in Nepal. I will do my best to
continue to promote the potential of people with disabilities
and the spirit and goodwill towards all people.
Cheers!
Gary Guller
info@teameverest03.org
Contact Dennis Borel at 512/478-3366 M-F (other times at
512/431-1656) or dborel@cotwd.org
for further info about the homecoming event, TE '03 or the
advocacy work of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities.
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