The moment I decided to bring my teenage boys with me to Kilimanjaro

April 2022 - Puerto Rico

I doubted my decision. I mean, how the hell was I supposed to climb Mount Kilimanjaro if I couldn’t even paddle a kayak anymore? 

We were on an idyllic family kayaking adventure among the islands off La Parguera along the southern coast of Puerto Rico and the currents kept pushing me back, reminding me of my disability, but I should have been able to tackle this challenge. I watched my twin sons doing just fine in the two-person kayak I had insisted they take, reasoning that it would be easier for them to handle together since they were still only 12 years old.

Patrick and Vittorio soon noticed my distress and called out: “Dad, hold on, do you want to get in our kayak and one of us will take turns with your kayak?” I was in denial at first and reluctant to accept their offer. Ego stood in my way and the belief that, as the father, I was supposed to be the stronger one in these kinds of situations.

My arms started shaking uncontrollably and felt so weak from the effort of negotiating the shifting currents that I could barely lift my paddle and finally I relented:  “Yes, please help me.” Patrick and Vittorio came over to assist and made me realize that being a role model in this novel situation called for gratitude and acceptance on my part, not hardheadedness.

After we explored the mangrove forests and did a bit of snorkeling, we returned to shore with our kayaks and I felt immense pride in my boys and my doubts about Kilimanjaro turned into a new kind of certainty. They’ve got to come with me on the journey to Africa. We are stronger together as a family team. 

That April day on the water was humbling and yet I am grateful for the experience because it taught me that through the help of others, I just might be able to continue living adventurously with Parkinson’s instead of surrendering myself to the disease. 

-Marco