To traverse the world without concern

Accidents happen. The truth is that misfortune can befall even the best of us. And so I believe we ought to live our lives to the fullest. For more than thirty years now, I have been pursuing that which I love. Although fate can sometimes be challenging, I do my best in order to lead a happy life.

In my youth, I studied biology. Having completed my studies in Ireland, I stayed there for longer having been able to find an interesting occupation. I was involved in the production of contact lenses and after a few year's time I returned, in order to fully commit myself to my life's passion - travel, to which I dedicated the majority of my spare time. Besides this, I wrote a blog, worked on a fishing magazine, as well as produced fishing lures.

Because of an inherited genetic defect my life developed differently than it could have. My amputation four years ago happened as a result of negligence from my doctors. Seven surgeries, endless complications, and suddenly... a complete loss of a will to live. A great fear arose around what my life is going to look like going forward, will I ever be able to return to activity? And, most importantly, will I be able to afford the luxury of walking on both legs? Following the amputation I lost the ability to work, and I owe my present mobility to the countless people who've helped me along the way. The enormous cost of buying a prosthetic, adjusting my home, and the rehabilitation process caused my savings to evaporate in no time.

In retrospect however, I am very glad that I abandoned my pessimistic outlook early on. Thanks to a complete dedication to my rehabilitation process, I was able to climb rocks and traverse rivers after a six month period, and after another year and a half I set off for Sahara. Now I embark on this voyage once more, in order to reach more than 2,000 miles further than before. One should never surrender in the face of hardship. Under the right care you can return to normality and continue realising your dreams, from the simplest, to the wildest yet monumental.

When I received my first prosthetic four years ago, I set off on a bike to Africa. With me I took a tent, solar battery, food, water, and my fishing gear. I managed to conquer hundreds of miles in Morocco, and cycle to the furthest reaches of the Sahara desert, in order to go fishing. Fishing from a kayak, scaling rocks, wading in sea water, the many miles walked on stony beaches, and the hundreds of miles cycled on pathless tracks. I love my life and I am so happy that I can get anywhere without any problem. I am 'able' again.

Unfortunately, however, I am once more faced with the necessity of having to pay tens of thousands for the luxury of walking. I am afraid that in the near future I will be forced to abandon my plans and dreams. My prosthetic is starting to rust and fall apart, and will have to be changed because soon enough I won't be able to take another step. I fear the day when the crack of a breaking prosthetic may be heard and the only option left for me will be a return to walking on crutches or, even worse, being confined to a wheelchair. There are yet so many places that I would love to visit, but it will not be possible without your help. I am wholeheartedly grateful that I find myself amongst a group of people who realise their dreams despite the challenges of life. I hope that the freedom to pursue my dreams won't be taken from me once more, and feel eternally grateful to all those who help give me a chance at realising my dreams despite the odds.