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Motivational speaker Bill Barkeley speaks with students (June 15, 2009)

Motivational speaker Bill Barkeley (June 15, 2009)

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Blind, deaf man to lead expedition

Trip will take 20 children through Amazon

Updated: Monday, 15 Jun 2009, 6:14 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 15 Jun 2009, 5:15 PM EDT

    Bill Barkeley spoke Monday downtown Grand Rapids in honor of the fifth anniversary of the Hearing Loss Association of America.

    Barkeley has Usher's syndrome, which has caused him to progressively go blind and deaf starting at age 28.

    But he doesn't let anything slow him down. In 2007, Barkeley conquered Mount Kilimanjaro, documenting his entire journey. Now, he is spreading his motivational message.

    Barkeley will lead an expedition called Hear the World next year, taking 20 hearing-impaired children to the Amazon.

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