Disability need not be an obstacle to success. The Journey of this hero is a testament to the power of the human spirit. Hari Buddha Magar, an army veteran, has triumphed over monumental challenges to conquer some of the world’s highest peaks, rewriting the narrative of disability along the way.

The 43-year-old, who lost both his legs above the knee in an IED explosion in Afghanistan, has taken up a number of challenges. He is committed to changing how society sees people with disabilities. He has now achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first double amputee above the knee to conquer the heights of Mount Everest!

Journey of Hari Buddha Magar: From a Village to the Everest

People typically encounter numerous challenges in their lives. While some may dwell on it, others rise above their fears and seize every opportunity life gives them. Born in a cowshed in Nepal, the rugged terrain of the Himalayas marked Hari’s early life. He was married at the age of 11 and joined the British Army at 19, where he served with the Royal Gurkha Rifles for 15 years. His life took an unexpected turn in 2010, when, while on patrol in Afghanistan, he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED).

After 12 months in the hospital, Hari finally regained control over his body. He learned to walk on his prosthetics, and with time and determination, he got himself ready to take on the world! Hari stands as an accomplished mountaineer and daring adventurer, having secured a series of groundbreaking achievements. Some of these include the first double amputee above the knee (DAK) to climb Mera Peak and the first to climb Ben Nevis with a Genium X3s ( prosthetic legs). He is also the first DAK to climb Mount Toubkal. This year he has broken all his previous records. On climbing Mount Everest he has become the first DAK to have reached the 8,849m height!

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Empowering the Change by Climbing

Hari pushed himself beyond the constraints imposed by individuals labeled as “disabled” by society. And during his journey, he now believes that it was only after losing his legs that he found himself. Mirror shared his writing on the JustGiving page, “If I had the opportunity to bring my legs back today, I would actually decline. It was only after losing them that I found my true self, the real Hari Budha Magar.” With this realization, Hari is now set to change the lives of the world!

After completing his expedition, Hari is all set for his next goal. He believes a substantial amount of work needs to be done in the realm of disability advocacy. He aims to raise a fund of  £884,900 to help five organizations that include, The Gurkha Welfare Trust, BLESMA, Pilgrim Pandits, On Course Foundation, and Team Forces.

The successful summit of Mount Everest in 2023 is a crowning achievement in Hari’s extraordinary journey. Beyond his personal win, Hari’s climb carries a deeper meaning. He strives to change the global perception of disability, emphasizing that it should not be synonymous with limitation. He dedicated his ascent to all individuals facing adversity. A very powerful reminder that with the right mindset, anything is possible. His legacy serves as a beacon of hope for nearly 1 billion people worldwide who navigate life with some form of disability.

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