Mark Wellman is an author, filmmaker, paralympian, and motivational speaker, who is best known for his 1989 ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, which was the first ascent of the cliff by a paraplegic. He has appeared on National television speaking about his ascent. He has written a biography, Climbing Back, as well as given many powerful speeches for himself and other paraplegics.
Wellman lit the caudron for the opening of the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta after carrying the flaming torch up a 120-foot rope.
Wellman lost use of his legs when he fell off a mountain in the Sierra Nevadas. However, he became the first paraplegic to climb El Capitan, over the course of six days. While he climbed up the mountain, a friend accompanied him and supported his slips.[1]