Helen Hayes Hospital Adapted Sports Coordinator Completes Mount Kilimanjaro Wheelchair Climb

The New York State Department of Health’s Helen Hayes Hospital’s Adapted Sports Coordinator and Peer Mentor Coordinator, Peter Gagliardo, completed an incredible wheelchair ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, on Wednesday, August 5. Gagliardo, who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident, undertook this extraordinary journey utilizing a specialized Paratrek wheelchair and with the support of approximately 35 students, guides, and volunteers from advocacy group Accessibility Accelerator. Gagliardo and the group climbed to within 500 feet of the mountain’s Uhuru Peak summit on Monday, August 3 before deteriorating weather conditions forced the expedition to turn back for safety.

Gagliardo was joined on the expedition by friend, former Helen Hayes Hospital employee, and fellow wheelchair climber Matthew Castelluccio, president of United Spinal Association. Although weather prevented them from reaching the summit, Gagliardo, Castelluccio, and the team accomplished an extraordinary feat, demonstrating that adventure, exploration, and personal achievement should be accessible to people of all abilities. Gagliardo also used the experience to honor his late wife, Maria Bournias, a spina bifida advocate and marathon handcyclist who passed away from cancer in May 2025.

“Every climber has earned the right to celebrate their own achievement,” said Jamie Lassner, Executive Director of Accessibility Accelerator. “Some participants may leave this mountain with a record. Every participant will leave knowing they accomplished something extraordinary. What makes this expedition truly remarkable is that personal success is never separate from the success of the team. Every individual achievement strengthens everyone around them and inspires others to believe that more is possible. That is the spirit of #AccessibleTogether.”

As the Adapted Sports Coordinator and Peer Mentor Coordinator at Helen Hayes Hospital, Gagliardo has dedicated his career to helping people experience life to the fullest and experience the limitless potential of adaptive adventure. Through the Adapted Sports & Recreation Program—the region’s most comprehensive four-season adaptive recreation program—he organizes opportunities for individuals with disabilities of all experience levels, including sled hockey, baseball, waterskiing, sailing, handcycling, glider plane flight, and more. As Peer Mentor Coordinator, he provides invaluable support and encouragement to individuals living with spinal cord injury and other conditions.

“Everyone at Helen Hayes Hospital is incredibly proud of Peter,” said Scott Guevin, PT, DPT, MBA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer of Helen Hayes Hospital. “His determination on Mount Kilimanjaro reflects the same passion and dedication he brings to our patients every day, helping them discover new possibilities through adaptive sports, community connection, and renewed independence.”