Not only did formal Royal Marine, Lee Spencer, shatter the record for riding solo across the Atlantic…he did it with one leg.
Spencer, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, lost his leg while helping remove people from a car crash. While in the hospital, Spencer met another veteran who inspired him to join an all-amputee rowing team. This team became the first amputee team to cross the Atlantic, but Spencer took it one step further by deciding to make the journey solo. His expedition helped raise money for the Royal Marines Charity and the Endeavour Fund.
He set off earlier this year on January 9, battling 40-foot waves and two spells of gastroenteritis. Lee completed the 3,800-mile journey 60 days later on March 11, beating the previous record by 36 days!
"If I can beat a record, an able-bodied record, as a disabled man...that is the reason why I wanted to do that. To prove that no one should be defined by disability." – Lee Spencer
Lee’s incredible feat proves that NO ONE should feel like they aren’t good enough, smart enough, or strong enough, for ANYTHING. His story is inspiring and has made waves throughout the world. Never doubt yourself, because sometimes the impossible is in fact, very possible. To learn more about Lee Spencer’s story visit https://www.npr.org/2019.