Teen With Down Syndrome Successfully Reaches Mount Everest

Elisha Reimer,15, has become the first person with Down syndrome to successfully climb the base camp of Mount Everest.

He trekked 70 miles in two weeks with his father, Justin Reimer, and a team of seven other people in an attempt to raise awareness for the disability. He achieved this historical feat after a year's training.

"We were able to celebrate that as we departed Kathmandu, with him completing something that no other teenager with Down syndrome has done. It's monumental," Justin Reimer said to KTVZ News.

Elisha has raised $85,000 in donations to support the Elisha Foundation that was started by his parents, Justin and Tamara, in the year 2005, reports NBC. Their mission is to encourage families caring for people with special needs. Apart from this, the organization raises money and awareness for orphans with disabilities. For Reimer his son's disability is his uniqueness.  

Reimer sent an email to TIME stating that prior to this, a 35- year-old man from the U.K. was the first and only person with Down syndrome to have successfully climbed to the base camp of Mount Everest. But Eli is the youngest and is the first American with Down syndrome to have done so.

Eli made this successful hike just before World Down Syndrome Day.

Team Eli received a warm welcome with balloons and cheers from dozens of well wishers at the Los Angeles International Airport.

Visit The Elisha Foundation.