A Leicester man has defied the odds by climbing Mount Snowdon in a wheelchair, despite being paralysed from the waist down as a result of a horrific motorcycle accident just six months ago.
Jacob Smith, suffered the life-changing injuries after smashing head on into a wall during a track day at Mallory Park circuit last October 3.
The 21-year-old was said to travelling at 110mph when he failed to correctly anticipate a bend at the site, near Coventry.
He was taken to the nearest hospital where his family were told that he may not even make it out alive.
However, Mr Smith defied the odds last weekend by climbing to the top of Mount Snowdon- the highest mountain in Wales, thanks to a specially adapted wheelchair, and a team of close relatives and friends.
“The biggest thing for me was my family. I needed to prove to them that I can still live a full life”, he said of completing the 3,560ft challenge.
“I need to prove to myself that I can still do almost everything that I would have done before.”
During some sections of the challenge, which took four-and-a-half hours to complete, Jacob’s wheelchair was carried, pulled and pushed by the team – with complete strangers offering to help.
But despite this, Jacob has proved that he still has the determination he had before his life-changing accident, which left him with a damaged spinal-chord, and paralysed from the chest down.
Part of his motivation is to inspire others who have also suffered horrific injuries.
“The doctors were very honest. Their opinions were that I would definitely need a miracle to walk again, I would also be lucky to regain any sensation below the level of my injury”, he revealed.
“When I was first admitted to hospital my family were told that I may not even make it out of hospital alive. They were also told that I’d be in hospital for at least six to eight months, recovering and relearning all the stuff that I know now.
“But after six months we’re here, and I’m doing as much as I can”, he added.
“This injury definitely wasn’t the end of me, and I’m really happy that we managed to climb the mountain”.
Jacob’s father, Jamie Smith, was with him on the day of the crash. He expressed his pride at how far his son has come in six months.
“The injuries are horrific, it is life changing but it doesn’t have to be over and to show others that maybe have had that accident, there are lots of things out there”, he said.
