How Regain helped Steve power through his paralysis
18 year-old sports lover Steve became paralysed from the waist down in a swimming accident. His life, once full of adventure and sporting activities, was suddenly turned upside down as he realised he would have to let go of the hobbies that shaped him. Then he reached out to Regain. Here's how this amazing charity flipped Steve's life right back around.
Steve Osborne was paralysed from the chest down following a swimming accident at the age of 18. Prior to his accident, Steve was a fit, active sportsmen with his life ahead of him. Suddenly rendered immobile, his injury was a devastating blow to someone who lived for sport.
Regain came into Steve's life many years ago and initially provided him with a rugby wheelchair, which enables him to compete in Wheelchair Rugby at the very highest level. Regain has also provided a specially adapted hand cycle. This has given Steve the opportunity to take part in several overseas cycling challenges over the years, allowing him to 'give something back' by raising sponsorship funds for the charity.
His cycling exploits reached new heights in 2010 when he became the first Tetraplegic to complete the Snowdonia Charity Challenge. Team Stevie Wonder – consisting of eight able-bodied participants and Steve – completed the course in an amazing 8hrs 57mins! Steve used his hand cycle for the challenge and was assisted by his team-mates in a specially adapted wheelchair for the mountain section. He was also nearly the first person ever to capsize on the canoe section!
After completing the Snowdonia Charity Challenge, Steve said: "I am still here today because Regain helped me to play sport after my accident – playing rugby and keeping fit has kept me going for all these years. Playing sport again after an injury saves your life in terms of health and wellbeing."
How to support Regain
As you've probably guessed, there are so many other fallen adventurers who have lost their independence in an instant. Too many for one charity to support without adequate funding.
40 - 60 people every year become tetraplegic in a sporting accident, falling to the need of Regain's aid, along with the 300+ people they already support.
With such a specific cause, this incredible charity is all too often overlooked - but with such a specific cause, their help goes a very, very long way.
Help people like Steve get their life back by joining our latest charity challenge in aid of Regain.
Regain - Cycle Kenya 2019
It's the cycle of life!
Join us on an incredible 400km adventure through Kenya's Rift Valley to the magnificent Lake Victoria. This lion-size challenge begins in the mountainous Nyeri and will take you along rough tracks and smooth roads through tropical rainforests, towns and villages, past vibrant green farms and tea plantations, right to the shores of the magnificent Lake Victoria. At the end of the challenge there is the opportunity to visit an Elephant orphanage and to book an optional safari.
Places for this amazing challenge will go faster than we can say "Hakuna Matata" so please sign up today so you don't miss out on the chance of a lifetime.
Register now for Cycle Kenya 2019
Snowdonia Charity Challenge 2019
Experience the full beauty of this stunning National Park as you take it on in teams of four, canoeing, cycling and trekking from dawn till dusk in support of Regain.
Testing spirit, strength and stamina, we challenge you and your three teammates to cycle 40 miles through stunning scenery and trek the tallest mountain in England and Wales, Mount Snowdon, before jumping into canoes to paddle across Llyn Gwynant.
Invaluable cause. Breath-taking views. Game-changing experience. Have you got what it takes to take on Snowdonia? Book your team challenge now!
Register now for the Snowdonia Charity Challenge 2019