Into the WILD
Hampshire Life|April 2020
A pair of Hampshire adventurers are demonstrating that disability shouldn’t limit ambition in a series of international challenges
Duncan Hall
Into the WILD

When three-yearold Emebet Allie Deress lost her legs in a car accident, some residents of her Ethiopian village told her mother she should be left in a ditch to die.

It was partly to counter entrenched ideas like this that the wheelchair basketball player, now 21, was invited to join an expedition to scale Ethiopian mountain Ras Dashen in October 2019 alongside Stockbridge quadruple amputee Alex Lewis.

Alex’s story was told in an unforgettable Channel Four documentary. What was initially thought to be man flu turned out to be Strep A – something which is normally no more than a sore throat. In Alex’s case it developed into toxic shock syndrome and septicaemia which led to the then 33-year-old having both his arms and legs amputated, as well as undergoing extensive facial reconstruction. Alex’s life changed beyond all recognition – but as his partner Lucy Townsend said in the documentary The Extraordinary Case of Alex Lewis he now has more drive than he’s ever had. Since his experience Alex has gone skydiving, sea kayaking in Greenland and river rafting in Namibia. He also helps universities in designing and testing biomechanical aids, is an ambassador for the military charity Pilgrim Bandits and has developed new careers as an interior designer and motivational speaker. And now he is part of Wild Wheelchairs, alongside Twyford adventurer David Collinson.

‘Quadruple amputees shouldn’t really be up there – but with the right people everything is possible’

This story is from the April 2020 edition of Hampshire Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 2020 edition of Hampshire Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HAMPSHIRE LIFEView All
Southampton's first Michelin star?
Hampshire Life

Southampton's first Michelin star?

Newly opened southeast Asian restaurant, Blue Jasmine, could have all the right ingredients to claim the coveted title

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
This GIRL CAN
Hampshire Life

This GIRL CAN

Tracy Edwards MBE paved the way for women in sport with her boat Maiden. Now, 30 years on, she’s showing women around the world that they can do something amazing too

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
The good ship LIBERTY
Hampshire Life

The good ship LIBERTY

A call out on Instagram saw this Overton artist being included in the iconic Liberty Book

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
For KING & country
Hampshire Life

For KING & country

Can someone be born into greatness? We share the story of one of Britain’s most underrated monarchs, Henry III

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Doing it for THEMSELVES
Hampshire Life

Doing it for THEMSELVES

Multi-tasking sisters Iman and Yasmine El Sheik have just launched their new haircare brand Divinely Made, set to transform curly locks across the country

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
The Bear Ladies
Hampshire Life

The Bear Ladies

Julie Tatchel and Amanda Middleditch from Bear It In Mind in Hythe regularly have viewers in tears with their bear restorations on the BBC hit show, The Repair Shop

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
A walk in Wonderland
Hampshire Life

A walk in Wonderland

A New Forest walk in the footsteps of Alice Hargreaves, the inspiration behind Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Creature comfort
Hampshire Life

Creature comfort

From growing up with Hampshire racehorses to caring for dogs and cats at home, Clare Balding’s love of animals has seen her through good times and bad

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
A rare find
Hampshire Life

A rare find

Hampshire’s diverse habitats attract all of Britain’s six native species of reptiles

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
A friend in need
Hampshire Life

A friend in need

Margot has met a kindred spirit to share her renovation horror stories

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020