One more step : my story of living with cerebral palsy, climbing Kilimanjaro, and surviving the hardest race on earth

In this exhilarating and inspirational memoir, the first man with cerebral palsy to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and complete the brutal Ironman competition shares the exhilarating adventure that led to his achievementsredefining our ideas of normal and proving that life is never truly limited for any of us. Bonner Paddock summited 19,341 foot-high Mount Kilimanjaro, the worlds tallest freestanding mountain. Four years later, he earned the elite triathlete title, Kona Ironman. Thousands have done each individually. Bonner is the first person with cerebral palsy to do both. Diagnosed in his youth, Bonner swore he wouldnt let this neurological disorder limit him, and for twenty-nine years he guarded the truth about his health. But the sudden death of a friends young son who also suffered from CP forced Bonner to reevaluate his life. No longer would he be content striving for normal. Instead he would live life to its fullest, pursuing one breathtaking experience at a timewhile raising money for special needs children along the wayand never turn down a challenge for fear of his physical limitations. His is a remarkable journey that has taken him across the globe and introduced him to a fascinating cast of characters who have supported his inspiring quest. An athlete, adventurer, and philanthropist, Bonner is today no longer defined by his limits, but by the moments that pushed him past them. Infused with his irresistible charisma, courage, and heart, illustrated with 16 pages of color photos, One More Step shows us that we can all conquer our own challenges and embrace every moment life has to offer. Ln 2008, Bonner Paddock summited Mount Kilimanjaro. Four years later, he earned the triathlete title Kona Ironman. Thousands have done each individually; Bonner is the first person with cerebral palsy to do both. Bonner grew up just wanting to be ordinary. Despite his skinny legs and habit of tripping over nothing, he fought to keep up with his athletic older brothers and did everything he could to feel like a regular kid, even when it became clear he wasn't. After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age eleven, Bonner didn't let it limit him---instead he simply ignored its existence. For the next eighteen years, he guarded the truth about his health, building a normal life and keeping his secret from everyone. But the sudden death of a friend's young son Jake, who also suffered from cerebral palsy, forced Bonner to reevaluate who he was. No longer content striving for normal, he began to pursue one breathtaking experience after another in Jake's memory and, in the process, raising international awareness about cerebral palsy. Embracing his weaknesses to understand his strengths, he pursued the ultimate adventure: the Ironman in Kona, Hawaii, a race regarded by many as the hardest on earth. Along the way he forged a renewed bond with his family and launched a foundation to help disabled children in Africa and at home. This is a story of perseverance that demonstrates how our lives are not defined by limits, but by the moments and lessons that push us past them.--Adapted from book jacket. Normal. Happy. A boy named Jake Swimming in the riptides The mountain It's about to get real The wall Fire in the furnace The fun-house mirror Swim. Bike. Run. Brothers I told you this wasn't going to be easy Me against the island Go time Man of iron. My story of living with cerebral palsy, climbing Kilimanjaro, and surviving the hardest race on earth