Common Ground Films presents
GO BEYOND: An Evening Beyond Vision
Thursday, November 12, 2026 · 6:00 PM
The Woolery Mill · Bloomington, Indiana
A benefit dinner raising the final funds to send blind Navy veteran Lonnie Bedwell to the North Pole — the last leg of his Explorer’s Grand Slam. The evening includes a cocktail hour, dinner, a filmmaker panel, a silent auction, and exclusive scenes from the forthcoming documentary.
Beyond Vision: the documentary
Beyond Vision is a feature documentary now in production from Common Ground Films, following Lonnie’s journey toward completing the Explorer’s Grand Slam — the highest peak on every continent, plus both Poles. Only the North Pole remains.
Help get this story across the finish line
Common Ground Films is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations go directly toward finishing Beyond Vision and sending Lonnie to the North Pole. You can also follow along as the expedition and the film come together.
WHO IS LONNIE BEDWELL?
Blind Military Veteran. Extreme Adventure Athlete. Motivational Speaker. Author.
Lonnie’s mission is to motivate and inspire others to embrace life with confidence and courage. He accomplishes this by the way he lives his life and sharing his story with others. He’s an advocate for many including the blind and our military veterans, and is living proof that we can define ourselves on our own terms.
A former Navy Petty Officer, Lonnie was critically injured during 1997 in a hunting accident that instantly took his sight. Nevertheless, he raised three daughters as a single father, teaching them all to hunt and fish — and, against all odds, to drive. Once the girls graduated from high school, Lonnie continued to challenge himself, ultimately becoming a renowned extreme sports athlete. When the threshold for running the Grand Canyon was placed at 1,000 kayak rolls, he took his donated kayak to the pond on his farm and rolled it 1,500 times. The rest is history.
Lonnie has kayaked some of the most challenging whitewater in the world and is best known for having completed the first blind descent of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. He climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, summited several of North America’s highest mountains, rock climbs, and is an avid downhill skier when he has time away from roofing work in his hometown of Dugger, IN.
Experience Lonnie’s Inspiring Message of Resilience & Courage
Lonnie Bedwell’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when resilience meets determination. His story isn’t just one you hear—it’s one you feel. Lonnie’s ability to connect with audiences and share his hard-earned wisdom will leave you inspired to face life’s challenges head-on.
When Lonnie speaks, you’re not just listening to a tale of triumph; you’re experiencing the mindset and courage it takes to overcome adversity. Lonnie takes his audience on a journey—from moments of unimaginable hardship to the exhilaration of breaking through limits. He inspires audiences to rewrite their own stories, embrace courage, and live life boldly.
Bring Lonnie’s unforgettable message to your event—click below to book him as your speaker.
Explorer’s Grand Slam: Follow Lonnie’s Ultimate Challenge
Lonnie Bedwell is on a mission to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam—an elite adventure that pushes human endurance to its limits. From summiting the highest peaks on each continent to reaching the North and South Poles, he’s proving that no obstacle is insurmountable. Follow his journey as he takes on the world’s toughest challenges. Only the North Pole remains!
- Completed. Kilimanjaro Summit
- Completed. Aconcagua Summit
- Completed. Summit Denali
- Completed. Summit Everest
- Completed. Summit Mt. Vinson
- Completed. Summit Mt. Elbrus
- Completed. Reach the South Pole
- Completed. Summit Carstensz Pyramid
- Not yet completed. Reach the North Pole
Lonnie Bedwell: Adventuring Timeline
From the first blind descent of the Grand Canyon to the highest point on every continent.
Media
Documentary films, television features, podcasts and adventure footage — over a decade of Lonnie Bedwell’s story of resilience and courage.
Sightless Summits: Working As a Team to Inspire Others
Sightless Summits’ team of adventurers is taking on the world’s toughest expeditions to show disabled veterans and children that they are capable of anything. As part of the Sightless Summits team, Lonnie is proving that no challenge is too great when we face it together. Every Sightless Summits team climb, paddle, and trek, Lonnie and the team are not just pushing their own limits – they are inspiring others to take on new challenges and redefine what’s possible.
Through world-class adventures and a commitment to perseverance, Sightless Summits showcases the power of unity, resilience, and belief in a shared mission. This journey isn’t just about conquering mountains; it’s about showing what we can achieve when we support one another in the pursuit of something greater.
Join Lonnie and the team on this incredible journey—click below to explore Sightless Summits.