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Legless Spencer West reaches Mount Kilimanjaro’s peak

Toronto-based Spencer West, 31, has no legs. Born with sacral agenesis, doctors amputated his legs below his pelvis when he was just 5.

Living without legs didn't stop West from reaching Mount Kilimanjaro's summit this week.

"Doctors told us when he was a baby that he would never do much with his life," his mother, Tonette, from Wyoming, where West grew up, told the Toronto Star. "They said he should stick to activities like reading and writing."

West walked up the mountain on his hands, reaching Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest altitude, on Monday morning.

"The moment the summit was within sight…it was incredible. We looked around — me, David and Alex — and realized that, after seven grueling days of relentless climbing, after 20,000 feet of our blood, sweat and tears (and, let's face it, vomit) we had actually made it. We were at the top. The summit sign seemed almost like a mirage," West wrote on his blog.

"Then it sunk in. We made it. To the top of the mountain. The mountain that I promised to the world I would climb. The bleeding fingers and blisters were all worth it. I looked at the guys, my two buddies who dreamed up this crazy plan with me, and realized we actually finished what we started."

Unlike mountains like Everest, which must be climbed, Kilimanjaro can be hiked. West walked on his hands for most of the way, using his custom wheelchair when the terrain allowed.

"By the time I got to the top my hands were numb, my elbows were sore, my shoulders were sore — but there's something to be said about determination and trying to reach your goal," he told CTV News.

West's trek, shared with his best friends David Johnson and Alex Meers and a team of 50, took seven days, and was part of his "Redefine Possible" campaign.

"Having reached the top has reinforced my belief in myself, and my belief in others. This triumph is for all the people around the world who made this journey possible for me. I have been humbled by your support right from the start. But it all just came flooding over me at the summit. I'm so moved to be able to share this incredible day with all of you," West wrote.

His climb raised money for Free the Children's sustainable water initiatives in Kenya. He told CTV that they've already raised two-thirds of their $750,000 goal.

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