A Fermanagh woman who was bed-bound for 12 years has climbed Cuilcagh Mountain.

Shelley Cowan completed the challenge on Easter Monday (April 1), but this was not the first mountain the young woman has had to climb.

The Tamlaght woman was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) while still at school and was bedridden for 12 years and wheelchair-bound for ten years.

Ms. Cowan is humble about her achievements and puts her completion of the challenge down to “determination”.

She is considerate of others throughout her interview as she adds: “Everyone in the group got to the top, and we are so proud of each and every one of them.”

The group included Ms. Cowan, her father, her brother, three of her carers and members of the JustUS committee.

“I enjoyed it, it was so fun, the emotions went through me all day.”

The group completed the challenge in just under three hours, with it taking one hour and 40 minutes for the group to climb to the top of Cuilcagh, and about an hour to undertake the return journey.

Ms. Cowan explained that her carers and those in the group had to physically help her up the steps, “Everyone in the group took it in turns to lift my legs up the steps and support me,” she said.

Despite a tough climb and unfavourable weather conditions, like in so many aspects of her life, Ms. Cowan was not going to give up.

Looking back at a day she will never forget, Ms. Cowan says she has been overwhelmed by the support from the general public.

“I am so grateful for everyone’s support and encouragement; it has made me quite emotional how the community has supported me.”

She has now raised more than £3,000 for JustUs, a not-for-profit organisation that provides adults with disabilities with an enjoyable event/night out in a safe, inclusive and fully accessible environment.

The group has grown from its early beginnings with events taking place every month.

However, Ms. Cowan now plans to embark on another challenge in 2025, and if her previous efforts are anything to go by, the sky is only the limit.

The GoFundMe page for the challenge remains open, and donations can be sent via: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-sky-the-limit.