Hi! My name is Nicolai Calabria. I am thirteen years old and live in Massachusetts. This past summer, I decided to raise money for my 13th birthday to provide 550 wheelchairs that would be sent for free to Tanzania through a non-profit organization called Free Wheelchair Mission. Don Schoendorfer created a wheelchair that only costs $48.35 to make and deliver. In order to raise this money, I decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, a 19,341-foot mountain in Tanzania on crutches (I was born without a right leg).

I did the climb with my dad in September, which was really challenging. It would be hot for awhile, and then it would get freezing cold! It was definitely a good memory for me, though, and I reached the summit on September 11, 2007. In December, I went back to Tanzania with my mom to help deliver the wheelchairs to the people who needed them. It was the best feeling ever! I definitely hope to continue to help those in need, and I hope you'll help me, too. Thank you to all of you who have already donated. Each of you matter and one person really can make a difference! Donate to my campaign to help me send 2,275 wheelchairs and give the gift of mobility.





The word remarkable is often thrown around too easily. But when it comes to the Inspiration Award recipient, remarkable is exactly the proper word. Nicolai Calabria was born with only one leg, yet when he turned thirteen he set out to climb Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money for wheelchairs for the poorest of the poor. By the time he reached the peak he had exceeded his original $25,000 goal and raised over $60,000 to transform lives through the gift of mobility. With the help of Shane's Inspiration and Free Wheelchair Mission he returned to Africa to witness firsthand the wheelchairs being presented. Nicolai Calabria is a true Inspiration.

View the video of Nicolai being presented the award by Dakota Fanning.

For more information on "Shane's Inspiration" click here.






Every year some 15,000 hikers suit up and climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest freestanding mountain. Nicolai was one of them. But he did it on one leg and on crutches. The Smithsonian Magazine published an article about the journey up and down the mountain. His challenge helped people all around world as he supported the Free Wheelchair Mission with each step. You can read the article online here.







Simply overcoming his disability and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was not enough for Nicolai, he also wanted to raise money to help others. He collaborated with the Free Wheelchair Mission and amazingly raised over $60,000, which provided over 1,000 wheelchairs to the disabled poor in Tanzania. Nicolai and his mother delivered the wheelchairs and gave them the gift of mobility. The faces of the recipients made the climb well worth it! Help me with my new campaign to send 2275 wheelchairs!









The "Heroes Among Us" program is one of the premier community outreach programs in professional sports. Established as an initiative of the Boston Celtics in 1997, "Heroes Among Us" honors individuals who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others.
The "Heroes Among Us" Award is presented to an individual or individuals who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to our community. At each home game, the Celtics and their fans have saluted the exemplary efforts of these citizens during a special in-game presentation on the legendary parquet floor.
For his spectacular efforts to help those in dire need, the Celtics honored Nicolai, on November 9, 2007.









Ellen DeGeneres had Nicolai featured on her daytime Emmy award winning show on October 17, 2007. You can watch the video by visiting this web site.







Michele Norris talks to Nicolai Calabria, 13, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro this summer. He climbed the 19,000-foot mountain on crutches, braving arctic temperatures. You can listen to the radio interview today by clicking here.









Nicolai was featured in the Boston Globe for his challenging trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. Read the article below about this teen's amazing success by visiting this website.











Join ShoutLife and Friends to help me raise money to give less fortunate people the gift of mobility around the world!