Geelong football identity Sean Atkinson battled gastro and ‘dangerously’ low oxygen to complete Mt Everest base camp

A Geelong football identity with early onset Parkinson’s disease reveals a charity hike in Nepal has strengthened his resolve to deal with life’s challenges.

Sean Atkinson trained for months before tackling the climb. Picture: Alison Wynd.

It was like something out of a movie.

Geelong football identity and proud Parkinson’s disease advocate Sean Atkinson was rushed to a Kathmandu hospital in an ambulance earlier this year, after completing a “brutal” trek to Mt Everest base camp while struck down with gastro and battling low oxygen supply.

Atkinson, who was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s in early 2023, raised around $15,000 through the January trip — but it left behind a renewed perspective and level of resilience which will be far more long lasting.

Low on oxygen at Gorakshep, Nepal and needing a helicopter to fly to a lower altitude, Atkinson had to draw on all of his reserves of resilience to get through in a stunning turn of events.

Just a few days prior, Atkinson and his three best mates – Ben Dodds, Luke Daffy and Scott Thompson – had been acing the challenge so far, feeling almost bullish after a week of hiking.

“We didn’t think it was as challenging as we planned it to be,” Atkinson said.

“We’re all reasonably fit people, we were prepared for a pretty decent physical slog, but after day seven we didn’t feel that way.

“Obviously you were tired every day, but not at the extent I imagined.”

Geelong footy identity Sean Atkinson battled gastro and low oxygen levels to complete Mt Everest base camp. Picture: Sean Atkinson.

The group would use an optional rest day to complete a further acclimatising hike at about 4900m.

However, just two days before starting the trek to base camp, Atkinson began suffering from gastro, which knocked the stuffing out of him.

“I was very very unwell,” he said.

“I’d probably walk 20m and be on my haunches, I almost fainted three or four times.”

With Scott helping carry his bags, Atkinson says the trek became a minute-by-minute, step-by-step ordeal.

“That was pretty brutal,” he said.

“The mental resilience that you develop from that ... when you’ve got a hike of eight hours and every 20m your head (is) over your knees, hands on head trying to suck in some oxygen, to take that next step.

“When I reflect on how hard, particularly that day, was ... I certainly can draw some inspiration.”

The following day, Atkinson woke up early still feeling unwell – running at about 80 per cent he estimates – with an eight-hour, base camp-bound hike in front of him at over 5000m.

Geelong footy identity Sean Atkinson battled gastro and low oxygen levels to complete Mt Everest base camp. Picture: Sean Atkinson.

When they finally reached the destination, Atkinson admits to feeling “quite emotional”, taking him about half an hour to get himself together.

“It was incredible to get there,” he said.

However, things would get worse before they got better.

Stuck on the mountain side at Gorakshep with dangerously low oxygen levels, there was just a two-hour window, due to bad weather, for a helicopter to transport Atkinson back down to Kathmandu.

“I had to get off the mountain,” he said.

“I had to get to lower on the altitude level ... it was really unsafe.

“I was on oxygen for a good 12 hours (at Gorakshep).”

Atkinson would then be transported to the hospital in an ambulance from the airport.

“It was all the bells and whistles, an ambulance on the runway, flying through traffic in a Third World country,” he said.

“I think I was more nervous on the way to the hospital than I was on the mountain with the low oxygen levels, it was pretty intense (laughs).

“It’s a good story to tell at the end of the day.”

After four days in Kathmandu, where Atkinson was struck down with gastro again, the group decided to head home to Australia early.

“We’d had enough, after everything we’d been through,” he said.

However, Atkinson took home stunning memories of breathtaking scenery despite the physical demands of Nepal’s unique altitude and terrain.

“It was pretty amazing, some of the views that you see are incredible,” he said.

“The scenery, the highs and just the challenges that come with it.”

The trip has also strengthened Atkinson’s resolve as he battles Parkinson’s in the depths of winter — cold weather can cause symptoms to heighten.

Atkinson was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s Disease in January, 2023. Picture: Alison Wynd.

“I’m feeling OK,” he said.

“The winter certainly throws up some challenges ... (it’s) really really hard for (people with) Parkinson’s disease.

“My symptoms are certainly heightened, with tremors and stuff like that.

“I’ve got a really sore back, just from the cold weather.

“That’s what life will be if I stay in Geelong for the remainder of my life.”

A Parkinson’s Disease Fundraising Gala Luncheon, supported by Shake It Up Foundation, will be held at GMHBA Stadium on August 9.

It will includes a recorded message from Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry and appearances from Sports Minister John Eren and Shake It Up chief executive Vicki Miller.

More info: intix.com/event/parkinsons-fundraising-gala-luncheon

Originally published as Geelong football identity Sean Atkinson battled gastro and ‘dangerously’ low oxygen to complete Mt Everest base camp