ABQ Times

Four individuals from New Mexico recently undertook a significant challenge, climbing some of the tallest peaks in Latin America to promote awareness and accessibility of prosthetic care. Among them were three University of New Mexico alumni—Kyle Stepp, Sean O’Neill, and Jacob Fox—who ascended Cayambe, a nearly 19,000-foot glacier volcano in Ecuador. Joining them was Allison Gordon, who completed her medical residency at UNMH and climbed Chimborazo, which stands over 20,000 feet tall.

Stepp expressed the team's motivation: “We all have four very different careers and backgrounds, but we believe mobility is a human right and should be accessible to everybody.” He further noted the honor of having fellow New Mexicans join him in advocating for disability rights by taking on these summits.

O'Neill shared his pride in their efforts: “It’s one of those proud New Mexican moments where there are people in our community and our state working on these kinds of issues.”

The World Health Organization estimates that only one in ten people needing assistive products like prostheses can access them due to various barriers such as cost and lack of awareness. In Ecuador, similar challenges exist. The Range of Motion Project (ROMP), a non-profit organization operating in Guatemala, Ecuador, and other rural areas throughout the Amazon, initiated hikes on Cayambe and Cotopaxi ten years ago to raise awareness and funds for their mission.

“The purpose of that climb was to show what is possible when you have access and to raise funds to ensure that individuals with limb loss in Latin America can access the prosthetic care they need to climb their 'mountain,'” Stepp explained.

This year marked ROMP's 10th anniversary with three teams attempting Ecuador's highest summits: Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, and Cayambe. Reflecting on their experience, Stepp said: “Our time in Ecuador was special... Seeing amputees walk for the first time and run for the first time reminds you why access to prosthetics is essential.”

During their October hike on Cayambe, Stepp's team reached around 17,000 feet before turning back due to avalanche risks. Despite facing altitude sickness earlier that week, Stepp cherished the experience: “I’ll take a snowball fight at 17,000 feet with pure stoke and gratitude over any summit.”

Collectively raising over $350,000 this year towards providing prosthetic care for underrepresented communities in Latin America marks a decade-long effort by ROMP which has raised nearly $1 million since its inception.

Stepp's journey extends beyond climbing; he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 14 resulting in extensive treatment including chemotherapy sessions at UNM's Children's Hospital. His philanthropic efforts are driven by honoring friends lost during his treatment period.

In 2020 an accident led doctors at UNMH to amputate his leg above the knee—a moment he describes as realizing freedom from chronic pain endured since childhood surgeries.

Stepp advocates nationally alongside Nicole Ver Kuilen through "So Every BODY Can Move," aiming for legislative changes requiring insurance coverage for activity-specific prosthetics. New Mexico became pioneering legislation covering all ages followed by seven more states within two years thanks largely due local advocates nationwide supported under this initiative where he leads Strategic Partnerships today

Beyond advocacy work locally founding LoboTHON—a student-run philanthropy event—and competing internationally representing Team USA elite para-triathlete circuit aiming towards LA28 Paralympic Games