Bayfield climber receives hero's welcome

By Melissa Ganje, FOX 21 News
with photojournalist John Thain

BAYFIELD-A local mountain climber is the first person living with MS to summit the highest mountain in the world.  Now, she's back home in Bayfield where residents there have welcomed her back with open arms  It's a hero's homecoming!

After a grueling 2 month climb to the top of the world, Lori Schneider of Bayfield is back home and life is good.  "It feels wonderful to be back, it was a long haul, a great trip but it’s nice to be home with family and friends again," said Schneider.  On the morning of May 23rd in Nepal, Schneider reached the summit of Mount Everest, becoming the first person living with MS to defy the odds and literally stand on top of the world.  "Made it to the top, couldn’t see a thing up there but still had that feeling of I'm done, it was amazing," said Schneider.  It was the final challenge of her 7 summits quest to climb the highest peak on each continent.  "16 years and 7 summits down, I'm finished!" said Schneider.

To give Schneider a big welcome home, her friends came together and organized a parade down Bayfield’s Main Street with a community celebration at the end.  "In conversations around town, everybody says well Lori's coming home, what are we going to do and the answer always was, well have a parade!" said Dee Johnson of Bayfield.  "We’ve all been following her on her travels and pulling for her and sending her all our love and positive energy and just so excited for her to have made it," said Mary Thiel of Bayfield.  Hundreds of Bayfield residents, Lori's friends and family came out Tuesday to show their support.  "She has inspired this entire town and far beyond this town, she has inspired the whole country," said Janel Ryan of Bayfield.

After the parade, Bayfield’s Mayor Larry MacDonald presented a plaque to Schneider from Governor Jim Doyle applauding her for her achievement.  "It’s a real feeling of accomplishment and empowerment over that label of MS that I was given 10 years ago," said Schneider.  Lori's dad Neal Schneider made the long drive from Janeville, Wisconsin to share this moment with his daughter.  "I'm glad I'm here, I'm glad I'm able to come up and spend a couple days and just sit back and smile for her.  I couldn’t be prouder, just couldn’t be prouder," said Neal Schneider.  "I'm so proud of my friend Lori, she has inspired so many people in Bayfield and around the world and lots of people with MS are feeling a lot better about their future because of what she's done,"  said Johnson.  "Lori's one of my hero’s, I was diagnosed with MS last fall.  Lori is a great example for all of us so I thought it was important to support her any way I could," said Jim Collins of Bayfield.  She’s an inspiration to others, encouraging them to move beyond their illness, reach for their dreams and stand on top of the world.  Schneider says, "Believe in yourself and live your dreams, don’t be afraid to try and to all those who helped me along the way, thanks for being apart of my dream and sharing that with me."