With only 30,000 people in the U.S living with hemophilia, it was common for Chris Bombardier to feel a bit “different”. Diagnosed with hemophilia B at birth, Chris inherited the condition genetically from two of his uncles.

Hemophilia is a rare and serious X-chromosome linked congenital bleeding disorder that affects the blood's ability to clot. If bleeds are not treated early, over time they can damage joints or restrict mobility (Source).

“Growing up with hemophilia, I definitely faced some challenges,” Chris shares. “I would go to school on crutches one day because of a bleed and then be off of them the next day. People would make fun of me and say I was faking it, which was really challenging.” 

Over time, Chris began to spend time with his Uncle in the mountains of Colorado and quickly found a place where he didn’t feel “so different”. What started as a casual hobby quickly grew into a passion. Over the past six years, he has been on a quest to climb the seven summits which are the highest mountains on each continent.

Watch Chris’s story and see how hiking and a passion for the outdoors has fueled his personal growth and to become an inspiring member of the hemophilia community.