A man living with life-changing injuries following a road traffic accident 30 years ago has completed an extraordinary part wheelchair, part crawl ascent of Snowdon to help find a cure for brain tumours.
Paul Smith OBE (pictured centre) scaled to the summit of Wales’ highest peak (1,085 metres) on Saturday. Following a rocky, often very steep route – with gradients of 1:3 and 1:4 – it was, at times, too difficult to wheel himself and Paul had to use his arms to drag himself up.
Paul spent 12 years with locked-in syndrome as a result of brain injury after his road traffic accident, unaware of his family, or what was going on around him, unable to speak, move or even cough to show he was in pain or needed food or water. It took a full year after coming round, before Paul was able to talk a little and move around again, albeit in a wheelchair. He lives with PTSD and depression, constant migraines and pain all over his body.
He was inspired to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research as he lost his maternal grandmother to a brain tumour.
Paul, who has raised more than £5,000 so far, said: “Despite what happened to me and my personal battles, I consider myself to be an extremely lucky man – you can’t compare my situation with being diagnosed with a brain tumour. I have had a wonderful life and am fortunate to have a loving family around me and to be able to do something for others in need.”
Click here to donate in support of Paul’s incredible fundraising.
Image credits: Karen Morling – Challenge Photographer
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