Designing and building your own house can be a daunting project for most people. But 31 year old Alistair Spearing will do just that and take it in his stride quite literally later this year.
By that time, the British Lieutenant will have mastered the use of his two new robotic legs - the result of ground-breaking surgery performed at Macquarie University Hospital in Sydney this year.
Alistair lost both his legs above the knee during his first tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2011.
The accident occurred as a result of an IED explosion. Alistair was attempting to administer first aid to three colleagues who had been injured in an explosion a few seconds earlier.
He was helicoptered to Camp Bastion where the surgeons stabilised him enough to get him back to the UK. Since then, he has had more than 30 operations and other procedures to prepare his skin and stumps for traditional sockets, but unfortunately with little success.
It was only towards the end of that painful process that he heard of the work performed in Australia by the leading orthopaedic surgeon, Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis.
“I heard about this Australian surgeon through other military fellows who were singing his praises,” said Alistair.
“I registered interest and Associate Professor Muderis contacted me within days. We talked through the process and with a very short time he and his team arranged for a visit.”
Alistair came to Australia in April 2015 for a unique operation performed at Macquarie University Hospital by Associate Professor Al Muderis called osseointegration. Implants were inserted into both of Alistair’s residual limbs which have since integrated with the bone. This has allowed Alastair to quickly and safely attach two artificial limbs directly to the metal implants.
“It feels amazing,” Alistair said.
“Already I can tell it is going to be good because every day I can walk further and it feels better and better. The procedure has given me much more control and freedom. It just makes life so much easier.”
Alistair came to Australia with his partner Claire Anderson for the big operation.
With Alastair initially an inpatient at Macquarie University Hospital, they are now both staying close by as Alistair receives daily physiotherapy treatment to improve his strength and mobility. He started on crutches after two weeks and is now walking short distances.
The couple have been amazed by the quality of care at Macquarie University Hospital.
“The staff at Macquarie University Hospital have been brilliant,” he said. “I have been to a lot of hospitals in my time and I don’t think I am exaggerating by saying the staff here are some of the best I have ever been treated by.”
Alistair understands the osseointegration procedure may be intimidating for some people considering their options. But he feels it is definitely worth the effort.
“Anyone who has lost a leg or an arm has already been through plenty of trauma. This operation is no harder than anything they have been through before,” he said.
“We have been treated so well and the process at Macquarie University Hospital has been so smooth. Everyone in the team knows what they are doing. You are looked after from the second you get here.”
Alistair is the 4th military person from the UK to have had an osseointegration operation in Australia. The work of Associate Professor Muderis has attracted attention around the world, including that of Prince Harry who visited Macquarie University Hospital this week to visit the surgeon, staff and patients.
“Prince Harry does a lot for military charities and he is genuinely interested in how the soldiers and veterans are treated,” Alistair said.
“He has taken a massive interest in those of us who have had this particular operation because the procedure is new and the results have been really good so far for the military guys that have had it.”
Alistair and Claire are planning to get married later this year. They are excited about their extensive travel plans now that Alistair has greater mobility. And of course they are looking forward to laying the foundation stones of their new home when they return to Scotland.
By that time, the British Lieutenant will have mastered the use of his two new robotic legs - the result of ground-breaking surgery performed at Macquarie University Hospital in Sydney this year.
Alistair lost both his legs above the knee during his first tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2011.
The accident occurred as a result of an IED explosion. Alistair was attempting to administer first aid to three colleagues who had been injured in an explosion a few seconds earlier.
He was helicoptered to Camp Bastion where the surgeons stabilised him enough to get him back to the UK. Since then, he has had more than 30 operations and other procedures to prepare his skin and stumps for traditional sockets, but unfortunately with little success.
It was only towards the end of that painful process that he heard of the work performed in Australia by the leading orthopaedic surgeon, Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis.
“I heard about this Australian surgeon through other military fellows who were singing his praises,” said Alistair.
“I registered interest and Associate Professor Muderis contacted me within days. We talked through the process and with a very short time he and his team arranged for a visit.”
Alistair came to Australia in April 2015 for a unique operation performed at Macquarie University Hospital by Associate Professor Al Muderis called osseointegration. Implants were inserted into both of Alistair’s residual limbs which have since integrated with the bone. This has allowed Alastair to quickly and safely attach two artificial limbs directly to the metal implants.
“It feels amazing,” Alistair said.
“Already I can tell it is going to be good because every day I can walk further and it feels better and better. The procedure has given me much more control and freedom. It just makes life so much easier.”
Alistair came to Australia with his partner Claire Anderson for the big operation.
With Alastair initially an inpatient at Macquarie University Hospital, they are now both staying close by as Alistair receives daily physiotherapy treatment to improve his strength and mobility. He started on crutches after two weeks and is now walking short distances.
The couple have been amazed by the quality of care at Macquarie University Hospital.
“The staff at Macquarie University Hospital have been brilliant,” he said. “I have been to a lot of hospitals in my time and I don’t think I am exaggerating by saying the staff here are some of the best I have ever been treated by.”
Alistair understands the osseointegration procedure may be intimidating for some people considering their options. But he feels it is definitely worth the effort.
“Anyone who has lost a leg or an arm has already been through plenty of trauma. This operation is no harder than anything they have been through before,” he said.
“We have been treated so well and the process at Macquarie University Hospital has been so smooth. Everyone in the team knows what they are doing. You are looked after from the second you get here.”
Alistair is the 4th military person from the UK to have had an osseointegration operation in Australia. The work of Associate Professor Muderis has attracted attention around the world, including that of Prince Harry who visited Macquarie University Hospital this week to visit the surgeon, staff and patients.
“Prince Harry does a lot for military charities and he is genuinely interested in how the soldiers and veterans are treated,” Alistair said.
“He has taken a massive interest in those of us who have had this particular operation because the procedure is new and the results have been really good so far for the military guys that have had it.”
Alistair and Claire are planning to get married later this year. They are excited about their extensive travel plans now that Alistair has greater mobility. And of course they are looking forward to laying the foundation stones of their new home when they return to Scotland.
