“I couldn’t believe I was selected, and I am over the moon that I will be able to conquer my dream.”
Those are the words of Daniella ‘Dela’ Gargaro, who, despite living with cerebral palsy, is undertaking an adventure she once only dreamt of.
The 20-year-old Barooga local was diagnosed at 13 months old with the condition, which affects her right side.
She also had epilepsy until 2016, when major brain surgery allowed her to become seizure-free.
However, despite an undoubtedly rough start to life, Ms Gargaro hasn’t let the medical challenges slow her down.
“I don’t let it stop me; I’m always active and busy,” she said.
Ms Gargaro is an active member of Impact Body & Mind gym in Barooga and loves going for walks.
In her schooling days, she pursued her passion for an active lifestyle through swimming and athletics.
Now, Ms Gargaro is about to pursue a lifelong dream of climbing Mt Kosciuszko in conjunction with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and the Krazy Kosci Klimb organisation.
“I have always had a dream of climbing Mount Kosciuszko,” she said.
“In the middle of 2023, I was accepted by Cerebral Palsy Alliance to climb it on February 10.”
For her, the news of being accepted was overwhelming.
“It means a lot,” Ms Gargaro said.
Ms Gargaro won’t be alone in her adventure, as family and friends will accompany her, including her mother, who helped organise the climb.
“Mum applied for me to climb Mount Kosciuszko through the Cerebal Palsy Alliance last year (2023), and it took about six months to get the approval,” Ms Gargaro said.
Climbing the highest mountain in Australia requires preparation, and Ms Gargaro said she and her climbing companions had been exercising to be fit and ready.
“I’ve been walking six kilometres every day, and I love going to the gym, so I have been going when I can,” she said.
Though some may find the idea of an individual with cerebral palsy climbing Australia’s highest mountain hard to fathom, Ms Gargaro has no hesitation.
“I have the ‘get up and go’ attitude, and there is no such word as ‘can’t’ in my vocabulary,” she said.
Impact Body & Mind owner Shane Barbetti said he and his staff were incredibly proud of Ms Gargaro, who has been coming to his gym since it opened nearly three years ago.
Mr Barbetti noted that his client had never been afraid to take up a challenge and had repeatedly set new personal bests.
He wished his client all the best for her adventure.
“All our coaches have grown extremely close to Dela and we would love her to continue to take on challenges like Mount Kosciuszko, and we know that she will smash her climb like she has smashed every other challenge in the gym and life,” he said.
Ms Gargaro’s mother, Rebecca, is proud of her daughter.
“We’re extremely proud of her and her achievement, and to climb Mt Kosciusko is something we are bursting with pride about,” she said.
“It’s a very special time.”
Ms Gargaro is determined to do more than just realise her dream.
The Barooga local is helping Krazy Kosci Klimb provide essential funding to the Accessible Gym and Sports Program at Cerebral Palsy Alliance to give back to the organisation.
“I am sending out a thank you letter to those who have donated because it means so much to me,” she said.
To donate, go to the following link: