As a child, Alain Robert was afraid of heights. One day, when he was 12, he returned home from school. At the front door of his building, he looked for his keys. He didn't have them. It was 3:30, and his parents worked until 6:00 p.m. Robert looked at his apartment on the eighth floor. He saw an open window. He closed his eyes and pictured himself climbing the building. When he opened his eyes, he told himself, "I can do it." A quarter of an hour later, he was in his house, and his fear of heights was gone.
Today, Robert (known as the French Spideman) still climbs buildings. In 2004, he climbed Taipei 101(the tallest building in the world at the time), and in 2011 he climbed the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai. To reach the top of a building, Robert usually uses only his hands and special shoes. To climb the Burj Khalifa Tower, though, he was made to wear safety ropes.
Robert climbs as a hobby. He also does it to make money for charity (for children and the homeless). Climbing is his passion. Although many climbing accidents have left him seriously disabled, he has become one of the best solo climbers in the world. Alain says in an interview, "We set ourselves limits, but we are all strong enough to aim higher, to achieve our goals. All we have to do is find such strength within ourselves."
When Robert climbs, he wants to send a message to people. If you have a dream—something you really want to do—it can become real. But you must be brave and keep trying. If something bad happens, don't give up. Close your eyes and tell yourself, "I can do it."
