Carey Peña | Contributing Writer It was a clear, sunny day on Camelback Mountain. Hikers were out bright and early, anxious for fresh air and a good climb. When I pulled up, Doug Clough was waiting with his wife, Karen. It was going to be an emotional day. Doug and Karen have been married for more than two decades. Five years ago, their lives changed forever when Doug was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Now wheelchair-bound and experiencing the increasingly heartbreaking symptoms of ALS, Clough had one wish: to renew vows with his beloved Karen high on Camelback Mountain, under the tree where he first proposed. It took months to make this happen, but thanks to the nonprofit Daring Adventures, along with the Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Association and lots of friends in the community, there was a plan in place. We followed Doug and Karen’s van up a side street near the mountain where Doug Fulton of Fulton Homes was waiting. He’s one of the incredible friends who made this day possible. Fulton tragically lost his own brother to ALS, and he has a heart for this cause. Together we made our way to the staging point, near a luxury home high above. Dozens of volunteers from Daring Adventures were waiting (their nonprofit focuses on improving the lives of people with disabilities and significant life challenges through the power of outdoor recreation). This mission would not be easy, but they were determined and well prepared. The day prior they all gathered for a practice run. Daring Adventures secured a specialized all- terrain wheelchair called the TrailRider, built in Vancouver, and made possible by a grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. For Clough, it was difficult at first to allow himself to be so vulnerable. All of these men and women would be lifting him from one chair to another and then maneuvering him up Camelback. Clough is a former athlete and self-described “tough guy.” “My feelings were really mixed at the beginning,” Clough said. “I felt embarrassed, selfish, mad that I couldn't do it. Just a lot of negative emotions. After a short while, I could tell everyone really wanted to be there and be a part of this event. Then I started feeling thankful, happy and very humble.” To watch this day unfold was quite something. I hiked alongside my friend, well-known auctioneer In sickness and in health, local couple renews vows on a mountaintop LOVE LIFE, LIVE LIFE CAREY’S CORNER {carey peña reports} 20 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2019

Above: Doug Clough at Joshua Tree, years before his ALS diagnosis. Right: Karen Clough on the day of the climb. Above: It was a life-affirming day for Letitia Frye, Karen Clough and Carey Peña. Left and below: Daring Adventures, the Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Association and many friends came together to help Doug Clough ascend part of Camelback Mountain in order to renew his vows with his wife. JUNE 2019 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 21