35-Year-Old Mother of One, Living With a Brain Tumor, Set to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro for a Noble Cause

The 35-year-old mother, Michaela Laidlaw, like any other travel enthusiast, has accepted the extraordinary mission of climbing the tallest mountain of the African continent, Mount Kilimanjaro. However, her story is different from others! She is a testament to determination and resilience, aiming for huge feats even while fighting against a terminal disease.

Apart from being her personal challenge, the climbing journey marked her charitable move towards supporting the people living with the disease. The article chronicles Laidlaw’s journey in the face of adversity.  

Michaela Laidlaw gives life a second chance after a life-changing diagnosis

At the age of 26, after marrying for only nine months, in 2015, Laidlaw was diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma brain tumor. With this sudden diagnosis, her life went topsy-turvy with frequent hospital visits followed by surgeries. 

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Crippled with physical pain and emotional distress as a result of the grueling treatment procedure, Laidlaw decided of rebuilding her life. In her journey to living life in a different and ardent way, it was her mission to prepare her six-year-old son, Spencer, to encounter the challenges that life poses with determination and resilience. 

Laidlaw shared her views about her motive behind her scaling Mount Kilimanjaro with The Brain Tumour Charity, “I am determined to complete my dream of climbing this rather large hill and show my son, Spencer, that however tough times can feel, you must stay strong, keep fighting and never give up.”

Preparing for the great ascent

Laidlaw’s endeavor to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with the mission of raising funds for The Brain Tumour charity is not new. Previously, it was in 2019 that she participated in a marathon run in support of the charitable organization. Even though the event tested her commitment and strength, however, this time Laidlaw followed a strict preparatory session spending time conquering hills in her home country. 

Among her accomplishments are completing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge, Ben Nevis, Roseberry Topping, Scafell as well and Arthur’s Seat. Besides, Laidlaw underwent strenuous physical training sessions to improve her overall physical fitness and build leg strength.

Along her arduous journey, the thoughts of her husband, Neil, and son will be the constant source of motivation. Without being able to accompany her mother physically, Spencer will be connected throughout Laidlaw’s journey by giving her mother his treasured koala teddy bear for her exceptional “holiday”.  

As she nears the advent of the journey to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Laidlaw serves as a stark reminder that her brain tumor failed to dampen her zeal and enthusiasm. Here the mountain is not only symbolic of the physical climb but her lofty spirit, exhibiting the highest challenges that can be encountered will power and resolution. 

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