There is no stopping Melbourne NDIS participant Bobby Bajram.
At 57 and unsteady on his feet, he’s preparing to tackle a goal he set for himself back in 1980, not long after doctors diagnosed him with multiple sclerosis (MS) at just 13 years old.
‘I remember I was sitting in a wheelchair, and I couldn’t see, I was blind, so I thought to myself, one day I’m going to walk to the top of the world and see the blue sky,’ Bobby said.
‘And the top of the world is Mount Everest,’ he added with a grin.
One of world’s most extreme athletes with disability, Bobby said he’s conquered Mount Everest base camp multiple times.
He’s also summitted 3 of the world’s highest peaks – Mount Kala Patthar, Mera Peak and Mount Lobuche East, showing incredible resilience tackling all these death-defying climbs.
‘When I did Mount Lobuche East and I was about 400 metres from the summit, I could feel my body shutting down and I just collapsed,’ he said.
Despite being in so much pain and disorientated Bobby’s expedition team reminded him of why he was there and continued to encourage him.
‘Somehow I managed to get up on my hands and knees and crawled to that summit,’ he said. ‘When I was there the pain just disappeared and all I felt was euphoria.’
Now, having met the Nepalese Government rules to secure a permit to climb Mount Everest, Bobby is training harder than ever.
He’s a familiar face at his local gym and at Woolamai Beach Surf Lifesaving Club where he trains regularly with members continually putting his body to the test.
Woolamai Beach Surf Lifesaving Club president Jason Close said Bobby’s determination and commitment is remarkable, so much so the club appointed him an ambassador.
‘Bobby’s been with our club for over 6 years. He’s a great ambassador. He’s overcome so many challenges in life to achieve feats many would never think were possible,’ he said.
‘He also delivers an empowering message to everyone he meets – just give it a crack and never give up because with the right support anything is possible.’
All going well, Bobby said he is planning his Mount Everest attempt next year, in March 2026. But, with the unpredictable nature of MS his health can go from good to bad fast.
‘When I’m good, I’m really good, I’m a superbly tuned athlete, but when I’m sick, my nerves block the arteries to my heart, and I’m hospitalised,’ he said.
‘Doctors have to put me in a coma for 2 weeks, clear everything out and wake me up again. Then I’m in bed or in a wheelchair unable to walk for weeks, even months!’
Bobby admits climbing Mount Everest is dangerous. He knows there are some people who don’t want him to do it, but he is determined to prove there is no ‘dis’ in his ability.
‘I want people to know no matter what, if you put your mind to it and have the right supports, you can do anything,’ he said.
Currently, Bobby has several sponsors onboard to fund his Mount Everest climb. He is also in talks with an expedition leader to build a team of professional medical and sherpa guides to support him in his massive quest.
‘I’m really grateful for all the support I get. Even for the support I get through the NDIS,’ Bobby said.
‘I need 24-hour support, so I went with local provider Alphacare and Jacqui, and the team have been so helpful, they’ve been fantastic,’ he said.
‘My support worker, Orlinda, is amazing! She supports me with all my personal care, to cook meals, do my laundry, sort and take my medications and she takes me to all my appointments, to live a regular life as possible. I couldn’t do what I do without her!’
A strong disability advocate, Bobby said he was ‘one of the original people beating the drums from the start to get the NDIS off the ground.’
‘Australia is leading the world in disability support,’ he said. ‘The NDIS is priceless, and it’s incredible to see how much it is helping to improve so many people’s lives.’