Beads of Courage !

Back in 2013 I took the Mount Fuji Shine-On Kids Contest to help childrens suffering from Cancer pursue their Journey bravely.

Today i want to introduce you all to BEADS OF COURAGE Program !

https://sokids.org/

Jean Baruch from United States while doing her PhD came up with a concept of Beads of Courage Program. Jean while doing her PhD could not face the disappointment faced by the young cancer kids during every treatment that they underwent , and she came up with a concept of Beads of Courage. An art mixed with Medicine.

The Kids collect strands of beads representing every treatment - blood transfusion, chemotherapy, or simply blood draw that they undergo, in simple words every battle they win in life is represented by the Bead.

Bead Collection brings a smile to their face after every treatment. Beads mark each step of their challenging brave journey.

Its looks funny collecting these Beads but it’s the attitude that represents the greatest asset on any difficult road ahead; every Bead represents the courage that they have shown.

Back in 2013 I took the Mount Fuji Shine-On Kids Contest to help childrens suffering from Cancer pursue their Journey bravely.

Mount Fuji Challenge was a fund raising activity organized by Shine-On Kids Japan and participants who took the challenge were given a Bead to carry with them in their journey - upon successfully reaching the SUMMIT of Mount Fuji - This bead is handed over to a cancer child undergoing treatment.

In case if you cannot MAKE IT to the top ; you will keep the BEAD with you and if you wish ; you try Hiking Mount Fuji again and upon reaching the SUMMIT you can personally visit SHINE-ON KIDS Centre and hand over the BEAD to the cancer child.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Fuji

Mount Fuji is a Volcano and not a Mountain with a Height of 12,395.8 ft = 3778.23m

Volcano means NO OXYGEN ON THE TRAILS !

All photos clicked by me !

My first attempt to Hike Mount Fuji was in July 2012 ; after hiking 11,500 ft i encountered with Altitude Sickness due to lack of oxygen and i had to return !
However clouds were within my reach !

It was my DREAM to experience SUNRISE from 12,395.8 ft

I decided to take on the Mount Fuji Challenge with SHINE-ON KIDS program in 2013.
I got a WHITE BEAD ! The White Beads represents Chemotherapy.

I took the challenge to help a child conquer cancer ;

Hiking Mount Fuji for me = Hiking Chemotherapy to a Cancer Child.

Half way it started raining unexpectedly and there was an earth quake and there was an ALERT CALL to stop the climb half way and return to the ground. But some people who came all the way from Korea took the courage to hike the volcano after the rain and earth quake and 3 Koreans died on the way to summit. I found it SAFE to return to the ground.

It was an INCOMPLETE MIS-ADVENTURE ; The ones who successfully climb Mount Fuji are the only ones who can hand over the BEADS to childrens suffering from cancer.

I kept the BEAD with me - I made a SOLO TRIP after a MONTH along with the BEAD in my BAG.

After i crossed 11,500 feet altitude sickness began ; i had already utilized all the oxygen in the 2 small oxygen cylinders that i carried with me and ran out of oxygen. I almost fainted.

I was not sure if i would make it to the top ; but when i realised that the childrens suffering from cancer are on a much difficult journey than me - this so far only motivated me to continue the Hike.

My shoulders were swollen due to heavy back pack and the 2 oxygen cylinders were already empty.

I learnt to SURVIVE EXTREME SITUATIONS.

There was a LACK OF OXYGEN !

To overcome adversity you must rescue yourself first. I took LONG DEEP BREATH.

When you feel threatened you FOCUS on the HERE / PRESENT MOMENT.

I started taking DEEP BREATH / LONG BREATH so that whatever little oxygen was available on the volcano i make the maximum use of it.

Whenever i felt DEMOTIVATED i thought about CANCER KIDS ! And my BEAD was meant to be handed over to a child who conquered CHEMOTHERAPY.

HALF SLEEP HALF AWAKE I CONTINUED TO HIKE.

Finally I arrived at the SUMMIT !

I SAW THE SUNRISE FROM THE SUMMIT.

FROM ......12,395.8 ft .....

I MADE IT !

EXPERIENCING SUNRISE from 12,395.8 ft was my DREAM !

Photo : Sree Vidya Pillai

The most painful experience of my life yet it has been the most beautiful experience of my life. Its exactly like as if i landed on Mars, the most accomplishing feeling. The hardest struggles were blessed with the most beautiful sunrise.

THE SUMMIT - It was a challenge to arrive at a SUMMIT !

Tears rolled out of my eyes at the SUMMIT not because i was able to achieve my DREAM but because I have helped a unknown young female child from a foreign country fight CANCER !

Coach and Change Maker : If i can help a female Child who i DONT KNOW conquer CANCER why cant I HIKE HIMALAYAS ?

Iam capable of relocating to DELHI/NOIDA only to HIKE HIMALAYAS !

I SEE LIFE AS AN ADVENTURE ; A VOYAGE !

Remember : Only the ones who are DESPERATE will buy from a CLEARANCE SALE that is run CLOSEBY.

WANDER-LUST was the name given to me by my ENGLISH TEACHER in class 8 for never being at my DESK ; Along with a nick-name called wander lust my English teacher punished me by making me stand outside the classroom for 1 Hour. But i did not CHANGE !

I grew up becoming a WANDER-LUST !

THE SUMMIT !