(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A brain cancer survivor’s dreams came true over the weekend, as she reached the top of Pikes Peak. It was the final destination for her nationwide exploration of some of America’s finest natural wonders.

Mary Perkins has been a cancer survivor for twenty years, after being first diagnosed around one year old. Spending most of her life in doctors’ offices and physical therapy, she was told things she could not do, but now she is breaking barriers in her own way by proving that she can.

“So yesterday I got to hike with Luke’s Adventures, a hiking organization, to the top of Pikes Peak,” said Perkins.

Mary is 21 years old, and high on life…literally.

“It was absolutely the most amazing thing I’ve ever done,” she said.

Mary is used to beating the odds, spending the summers going coast to coast, conquering 11 of America’s finest scenery.

“As many hikes as we’ve been on with Mary, I didn’t expect to feel the emotional wave that I did when I saw her come over the summit, come through the bridge of arms,” said Kim Perkins, Mary’s mother. “It was just obviously overwhelming, and just to see that joy again.”

Cancer might have knocked her down; she chose to get back up.

“I say this all the time, it’s crazy. I almost said no, but then I said yes, and it absolutely just changed my life forever,” said Mary.

But thanks to Luke5Adventures, what seemed impossible became possible.

“We just exist to help people go places that they would never be able to go on their own,” said Kevin Schwieger, Founder and President of Luke5Adventures.

The ‘Queen Mary Ambassador Tour’ ended with America’s Mountain in Colorado Springs on Saturday, and she says it’s the best of them all.

“The joy in her face was impressionable, I will stay with me forever,” said John Perkins, Mary’s father.

The group used special equipment named “Rosie” to help her get to the top of the summit.

“It has one wheel, part wheelchair, it has a seat to be all harnessed in. So, by definition, it has to be operated by at least two people, front person and back, but we surround it with many, many more,” said Schwieger.

Photo by: Cora Mitchell

Now, Mary is an inspiration for everyone.

“Anything’s possible if you just find the right people in the right community. Anything is possible,” said Mary.

The Queen Mary Ambassador Tour might be over for this summer, but she says she has many more adventures to come.

If you are interested in volunteering or becoming a hiker with Luke5Adventures, click the link above.