10/22/2025
Meet Ian. He says “Limb loss changed and disrupted my life, but it didn’t ruin it.”
"This powerful quote comes from Ian, who became a double amputee at 24 following a devastating fire on Christmas Day in 2002. After spending seven weeks in a coma and a year in hospital, Ian had to completely rebuild his life.
23 years on, he’s done more than rebuild he’s utterly thrived.
Ian has:
- Become a strong swimmer, recently completing a 10k swim for Cancer Research UK
- Acted in major films like Downton Abbey and The King's Speech
- Learned to walk and drive again
- Published 12 books (with 2 more on the way)
- Promoted gigs, gone jet-skiing, and returned to university
- Supported dozens of students by being their case study
- Been diagnosed with AuDHD and embraced his identity
- Sat on the board of a youth charity in the estate he grew up on
- Worked training paramedics and Army medics making an impact across communities
- Just agreed to swim the channel in a bid to raise funds for charity
From losing his old lifestyle of football, weekends clubbing and warehouse work Ian took stock and refocused. There has been pain and illness, but also growth, impact, and inspiration.
Limb loss doesn’t define the end it can mark a bold new beginning."- 📸: LimbPower
Thank you LimbPower for sharing Ian's story.
