Inspirational teen steps up to the challenge

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Climbing 53 flights of stairs is a challenge for anyone, but imagine undertaking that feat when you’re blind. This Sunday, Alishia Anderson, who lost her sight as a teenager due to retinitis pigmentosa, will be undertaking the Shadforth Financial Group Step Up for MSWA for the second time.

“I enjoyed doing Step Up the first time so I was keen to make it my next big challenge. It’s all good fun,” Alishia said of the upcoming event.

Alishia Anderson at the MSWA media launch

Not only does she plan on completing the climb, she doesn’t mind a little competition either as Alishia has set herself the personal goal of beating her previous time.

“I haven’t set myself an exact time goal but I’m hoping to be quicker than I was two years ago. And even though I started last, I managed to pass quite a few people in the stairwell, I’m very competitive.”

The inspirational teen won’t be undertaking this feat alone. Alishia’s support worker, Lyn Davies, will be following in her footsteps and supporting Alishia along the way. The pair have been training together in preparation for the big event, which they plan to complete side by side (or step by step).

Alishia Anderson, Josh Kennedy, Lyn Davies

MSWA CEO Marcus Stafford, who has completed Step Up himself, has praised Alishia’s motivation.

“Alishia really is an inspiration for all of us. I’ve done Step Up and it’s a challenge for anyone but to not to be able to see where you’re going or what’s going on around you makes it even more difficult.”

The Step Up event, which raised more than $141,000 last year, is set to take place on Sunday June 18 and will be raising money towards research and support for people living with MS and other neurological conditions.