DOUBLE Amputee is Summit Special

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• Former Welsh Guardsman Allan Roberts (35) from Corwen in Wales proudly stood on the top of the tallest free-standing mountain in the world recently.  His achievement is even more remarkable as Allan is a double leg amputee.

   

• Reflecting upon his amazing accomplishment, Allan said “I feel massively proud of what I’ve achieved”.  Adding, “It shows what you can do if you set your mind to it”.

  In March 2010 Allan was travelling in a convoy in Iraq when an explosive device ripped through the cab of his vehicle, severing both of his legs below the knee.

  Despite his life threatening injuries and challenging subsequent rehabilitation, Allan successfully reached the 5895 meter summit of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with The Not Forgotten Association.

  Allan’s meticulous preparation for his epic challenge included working closely with the clinicians at Pace Rehabilitation to optimise his prosthetic provision, before climbing Snowdon twice (in two days!) and completing 5-days of training in mountains of Majorca.

  The group of fourteen, who were fundraising for the military charity, flew to Ethiopia before transferring to Tanzania.  Allan was equipped with two pairs of prosthetic legs, one primarily for the assent and the other more suited for the even more challenging descent.

  Allan’s prosthetist, Howard Woolley, explains, “Allan’s residual limbs are very short, particularly on the right side, so we utilised an LimbLogic active vacuum system in an attempt to maintain his volume within the socket.”  Howard continued, “The system does however require charging, but we received fantastic support from the manufacturer (WillowWood) and UK distributor (Ortho Europe) who provided mobile changing units for the challenge and tested the components to below 15 degrees Celsius.”

  The seven day, 60 kilometre trek involved walking for up to seventeen hours a day.  As Allan calmly said, “I think that’s enough for anyone!”

  To highlight how demanding the challenge was, two members of the group were unable to reach the summit, making Allan’s achievements even more remarkable, as the most physically challenged member of the team.

  As he modestly recounted, “I didn’t have any real dramas and thankfully didn’t suffer from any altitude sickness.”  He added, “As we’d discovered in training, the ascent was certainly easier.  Coming back down caused my stumps to be bruised and tender, but I was relieved not to get any sores, which is testament to Pace’s prosthetic support.” 

  As Howard summarised, “We’ve provided Allan with his prostheses for a few years now, but this took his activity to another level.  It can’t be overstated what an incredible achievement this is and we are proud to have assisted him.”

  Allan is delighted to have more than doubled his fundraising target, surpassing ￡4,000 for The Not Forgotten Association.  However, donations are still welcomed, in recognition of his wonderful achievement.

  If you would like to donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/Allan-Roberts1

• Full article with pictures can be viewed here - https://www.pacerehab.com/double-amputee-is-summit-special/