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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Spencer West

I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on my hands

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‘I went through four pairs of gloves’: Spencer West at his home in Toronto, Canada. Photograph: Tory Ho/The Guardian

I was born with a rare genetic disease called sacral agenesis, which meant that my legs didn’t work. When I was five, I had surgery to amputate them. Doctors told my parents that I might never sit up, let alone be a functioning member of society – but as a child I wanted to try everything, and my mum and dad were great at encouraging me.

I learned to navigate the world by walking on my hands. I also had a wheelchair, or I’d get around our neighbourhood in Wyoming by skateboard, just like other kids.

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