Legislature Cites Conners; He Thanks Everyone For Support

OSWEGO, NY – A little more than a month after what he called an “incredibly intense” adventurous two-week stretch in Africa, in June, which included climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, ascending to the fourth floor of the Oswego County Building was a piece of cake for Fulton native Tim Conners.

Conners was introduced to the legislators by Dan Farfaglia (District 24).

He has been friends of the family for many years, the legislator said.

“His father (Mike) was my wrestling coach in high school,” he said. “I remember when (Tim) was born, which to me doesn’t seem like that long ago. But now, here he is all grown up.”

He was diagnosed with cancer as a teenager, he won that battle but lost his sight, the legislator explained.

Instead of falling into a state of despair and a lack of motivation, Conners took another route, Farfaglia pointed out.

“He has a second chance at life and he certainly has made the most of it,” he said. “He was near the top of his class in high school. And, just recently, he graduated magna cum laud from Ithaca College.”

He is now an author, works as a motivational speaker and is also a fundraiser for many of the organizations that helped him.

Conners, 22, commonly referred to as Tim Possible, beat the life-threatening cancer diagnosis that left him blind as a teenager.

And a few weeks ago, he traveled the 7,556 miles from Fulton to the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Africa where he conquered Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the highest peaks in the world as part of his MounTimPossible mission, Farfaglia told the crowd at the Legislature Chambers.

It was “a 53-hour sightless climb during the course of nine days.”

“I went through cancer and everything and this might be one of the toughest things I’ve ever done in my entire life,” Conners said of the climb. “But we did it. I couldn’t have done it without everyone on my team. They all pushed me.”

Conners was presented a proclamation from the county citing his accomplishments.

“He distinguishes himself and is a source of inspiration in our community,” Farfaglia said quoting from the proclamation. “I agree with that 100 percent, he added. “Timmy, thank you for showing us that anything is possible.”

“Thank you. I always tell people that succeeding with others is succeeding in life,” Conners said.

He added that he wouldn’t be here today without the support of his father and mother (Betsy) – “who slept with me over a hundred days straight in the hospital in that awful bed.” – and the rest of his family and the community.

“When I was sick, everyone came together for me. And that is why I believe in paying it forward and giving back. So I’d like to give a thank you to everyone who supported me, especially my parents,” he said.

To read more on the MounTimPossible mission or to donate to the cause, visit MounTimPossible.com.

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