My name is Michael. I’m 39 from Manchester, and in 2024, my life changed forever when I became a bilateral below-knee amputee. Rather than letting that moment define my limits, I’ve chosen to let it define my strength. To mark my upcoming 40th birthday, I am reclaiming my lifelong passion for adventure with a monumental challenge: trekking the Great Wall of China.

Over the past ten months, I have completely transformed. I’ve lost over 7 stone and built a level of physical resilience I never knew I possessed. Driven by this newfound power and an enduring wanderlust, I have committed to taking on this journey to China entirely solo.

Travel has always been in my blood, but since losing my legs, it has become vital to my identity. From witnessing the "Big Five" in Kruger National Parkin South Africa to exploring the architectural wonders of Singapore, solo travel has been my greatest confidence boost. It has pushed me to achieve feats I once thought impossible. Whether it’s the adrenaline of the rollercoasters in Orlando or the inspiring "People of Determination" culture in Dubai, I’ve learned that a disability is not a boundary—it’s a different path to the same summit.

My goal is to climb the Badaling section of the Great Wall, starting at the fortress of Tower 1 and pushing upward toward the summit at Tower 8. This path spans approximately 5,600 feet of grueling, ancient incline, rising nearly 2,000 feet above sea level.

I’ll be taking it one step at a time—resting, hydrating, and checking my sockets—but mostly, I’ll be stopping to embrace the breathtaking scenery. I’m not just there to hike; I’m there to witness the splendour of the world from a vantage point I earned.

I am conquering the Great Wall to serve as a living example for anyone facing their own mountain. I want to prove that limb loss is not an ending, but an opportunity to overcome unique obstacles. 

A disability should never define who you are or what you can achieve and with the funds raised, The Limbless Association can support everyone who needs it through offering opportunities to strive or simply a ear to listen.

As the Largest Civilian Limb Loss Charity in the UK, established in 1983, we have been working with amputees and sector professionals for over 39 years. We offer information, advice and support for amputees, their family and friends and professionals