Inspirational Adam climbing upwards after personal setbacks

But he was determined not to let it put him off following his dream of studying a digital media technology degree at Birmingham City University.

And he’s also reaching new heights as a member of a climbing club – as well as pushing forward towards his chosen future career.

In 2018 Adam started to experience medical issues with his left leg as a result of problems with his femoral bone, which he had experienced since childhood.

He underwent a number of serious operations and was forced to make the tough decision to defer his university place for a year.

Phantom

After further complications, Adam, had his leg amputated at Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham in March last year.

But despite facing weeks of phantom limb pain and months of rehabilitation, the 19-year-old set himself the goal of walking into university for his first day last September.

He took his rehab very seriously, exercising every single day, and finally, in June, he took his first steps using a new prosthetic leg. With just two months remaining until university he started to learn the basics for walking. But then, a small pain started to get worse, eventually reaching the point where it became too painful for Adam to walk using his prosthetic leg.

In a further setback, after getting checked and speaking to specialists, he was told he needed further surgery if he ever wanted to walk again.

Distraught, Adam, from Hodge Hill in the Second City, made the devastating call not to attend university in September as planned after all. But following a few weeks of deep thought he came to terms with his situation and relented, making the journey for his first day in a wheelchair.

“When I finally joined, I was extremely anxious and nervous," he said. "I was scared people would judge me and stare. In the end, I hadn’t needed to worry as staff and students were absolutely amazing from the moment I arrived.”

“Do people at university stare? Yes, they do. But they also smile and make you feel welcome. I don’t feel like the odd one out – I feel like I’m part of a massive family that includes all types of people from different races and religions, speaking different languages and with different stories and abilities. The provision for wheelchair users is better than I could have ever imagined, they took away all my anxiety.”

Within weeks, buoyed by a new sense of confidence brought on by the positive experience from starting his degree course, Adam approached the university’s rock climbing society about joining.

“My family were a little worried when they found out, they thought it was very dangerous,2 he adds. "But I needed a challenge, I needed to prove to myself that even with one leg I could still accomplish anything. Being a member of the BCU Rock Climbing Society has really helped with that. I have now been climbing and learning amazing techniques at Redpoint Climbing Centre for almost four months.

"The friends I’ve made are amazing and have helped me with adapting myself to climb using one leg. It’s been an incredible experience and definitely my most proud accomplishment in a very long time.” Adam has also been hired as a member of Birmingham City University’s vlogging team and will conceive, create and direct films on life as a student for internal and external audiences of around 200,000, as well as representing the organisation at events.

After university, Adam hopes to eventually take up a career working in media, focussing on graphic design and film – using his new-found confidence, experience and skills to move forward.

“I generally feel a lot more positive about myself and my situation now. I don’t see myself having any disadvantages compared to anyone else because I’m in a wheelchair with surgery coming up, it all comes down to dedication and motivation. Being different in today’s world is hard. I have had to make some difficult decisions in my life.

"I dreamed of new heights, of expressing myself and talking about my journey. It seemed impossible, but BCU helped me find my confidence. They gave me a new lease of life. Now I get to direct my own story.”