One Step at a Time: Renee’s Journey to Everest Base Camp with Her Prosthetic Leg  

For Renee DeHaan, vice principal at Wasatch Middle School in Salt Lake City, the path to Everest Base Camp wasn’t just a physical trek—it was a personal triumph. Born with a missing right foot, a left club foot, and two digits on each hand, Renee has spent her life defying expectations. This spring, she added another milestone to her journey: hiking to Everest Base Camp using her prosthetic leg, supported by her longtime Hanger Clinic prosthetist and friend, Quincey Brabant, CPO. 

From Educator to Explorer 

Renee grew up in a family where possibility always took center stage. Her family lived by a simple, powerful motto: Figure It Out. Her parents, Steve and Linda Stirling, never let Renee’s limb differences define her, emphasizing ability over limitation. That mindset shaped Renee’s own outlook. She didn’t focus on what was missing, but on what was possible. 

Renee pursued a degree in Special Education at the University of Utah, determined to be a champion for children who needed someone in their corner—someone to believe in them, guide them, and help them discover their own strength. As a longtime educator and vice principal in Salt Lake City, Renee has spent decades empowering others while quietly pushing her own boundaries.  

With the help of her lower limb prosthesis and expert care from prosthetist Quincey at Hanger Clinic in Salt Lake City, she’s embraced a life full of movement, from daily walks to adrenaline-fueled activities like bobsledding and rock climbing. Her most recent challenge? Trekking to Everest Base Camp—one step at a time. 

Prepping for the Climb 

Renee’s passion for mountains runs deep. Her husband is a mountaineer, and she long admired Everest from afar. But when Quincey asked if she wanted to join a trek to base camp, Renee didn’t hesitate. “I’ve always studied the mountains,” she said. “I just wanted to go meet Everest.” 

Together, they prepared for the journey. Quincey customized Renee’s prosthesis to handle the rugged terrain and created an orthosis for her left club foot. They packed duct tape, wrenches, and tools—just in case. And being a fan of Crocs, Renee brought her pink sparkly Crocs, which turned out to be more comfortable than hiking boots. 

Facing Everest—and Herself 

With 40 miles of uneven terrain, freezing temperatures, and high altitude, the trek was grueling. Renee’s luggage was lost on arrival, and just hours into the hike, she nearly fell off a cliff. But she kept going.  

“Everyone has their moment where you decide if you’re going up or down the mountain,” Renee said. “That was mine.” 

Quincey noted, “For Renee to hike through Nepal takes an enormous amount of energy—far more than for an able-bodied person. But her mindset was always, ‘I’m gonna get there.’” 

And she did. After nearly two weeks, Renee arrived at Everest Base Camp—17,598 feet above sea level. She camped overnight, made personal videos, and stood on the famous rock touched by generations of climbers. She even held her prosthetic leg high in the air, celebrating the moment. 

The Message Renee Wants to Share 

The weather had been cloudy. On the way down, Renee hiked to a village to catch a helicopter. As clouds rolled in, a Sherpa told her to turn around. It was at that moment that the clouds parted, and Renee saw the mountain one last time. “It was like Everest was giving me a final wave,” she said. 

“Success isn’t always about standing on top of the world,” Renee said. “It’s about standing when others told you to sit down.” She wants others facing physical challenges to know that limits don’t define you. “I learned the language of grit—the voice inside that says keep going.” 

Renee’s already planning her next adventure: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with her husband. She shared, “I am surrounded by kind and supportive people. I am so grateful to have these opportunities and the prosthetic technology and support from my Hanger Clinic team that enables me to pursue them.”