Helping Assist Nepal's Disabled (HAND) was envisioned on May 2nd 2007 while founder and Executive Director Brian Smith lay alone in his tent, high on Mt. Everest at 21,200 feet suffering from Severe High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). While in the fight of his life to survive the night, Brian reviewed his life, reflected on the suffering that he had witnessed in the villages that he had passed through and vowed that should he survive the night that he would find a way to help. Those with leprosy and other disabilities made the biggest impact on him.
After returning to the United States, Helping Assist Nepal’s Disabled (HAND) was founded in Jacksonville, Oregon in 2009.
Brian makes an annual trip to Nepal assisting those with disabilities.
