UPDATE - still checking in & answering questions over the weekend, please keep them coming!

Thanks for visiting my AMA!

Below is a brief summary of my background, if you haven#t got time for that, here is a TLDR video TLDR: https://youtu.be/qa8BDnkOADI

I was born in a cowshed at 2,700m in Nepal, I grew up having to walk barefoot each day to go to school and to get drinking water. I was forced to marry as a child and spent my teenage years surrounded by brutal a civil war.

When I was 19, I joined the British Army with the Gurkhas. I served with them for 15 years until I stepped on an IED whilst on patrol and lost both my legs. My life changed in an instant. I joined the Gurkhas prepared to die for the cause, but never considered the possibility that I would suffer the kind of injuries that I did.

Since my injury I have battled to regain my confidence, this was a huge challenge both mentally and physically. A big part of this was many different adventure sports, I was the first disabled person to ski in my native Nepal, and one of the first to kayak around the Isle of Wight. My main passion now is climbing mountains.

So far, I have summited:

⦁ Mont Blanc (4,810m)
⦁ Kilimanjaro (5,895m)
⦁ Chulu Far East (6,059m)
⦁ Mera Peak (6,476m) (became 1st ever DAK to summit a 6,000m+ peak)

Upcoming Expeditions:

⦁ Himlung Himal (7,126m) ⦁ Mount Everest (8,848m) - There has never been an attempt from a DAK.

Climbing Mount Everest was my childhood dream, but it has become so much more than that for me. I want to use the Everest expedition to prove that Nothing is Impossible. With this expedition and my mountaineering in general I want to do two things: 1) Inspire as many people as possible to go out and conquer their dreams. 2) Raise awareness for, and change the perspective on disabilities.

TLDR: https://youtu.be/qa8BDnkOADI

Feel free to ask me anything about my childhood in Nepal, my time with the Gurkhas, my injury or recovery, my adventures & mountaineering, the challenges I have faced, climbing Mount Everest, or other upcoming plans. Not to say everything else is off-limits, but that should be enough to get this started...

You can find out more about my story via any of these links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hari_budha_magar/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/qa8BDnkOADI
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HariBudhaMagarDAK/
Website: https://www.haribudhamagar.com/

PROOF: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDjagY5B2Au/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Comments: 111 • Responses: 55  • Date: 

kotparva10 karma

  1. Why is climbing important to you? What inspired or attracted you?

  2. Have you had any discouragements? How do you deal with it?

HariBudhaMagar8 karma

Thank you for the question.

  1. Because it’s my childhood dream. I grew up in Nepal looking Himalays everyday, read about Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in my school text books. I didn’t get time when I was serving in army the Army. But I want climb to Inspire others, make awareness of disability and want to change the narrative around us and give back to my birth place by helping people with disability.

But also I believe that human life is much more important than just surviving, so I want to make some difference.

  1. Yes, I had many and still do have now which is massive distraction but I try to focus on my goals, ignore all the negatives, around with positive people but fight through if they come in my way like Nepal banner double amputees and blinds from climbing mountains. We went to UN and Supreme Court in Nepal and overturned the rule.

kotparva5 karma

Thank you for acknowledging. Good luck on your next trip

HariBudhaMagar2 karma

No problem! Thank you 🙏🏼

alek_hiddel8 karma

Genuine question (not trying to be a smart ass). Obviously your missing limbs represent a physical disadvantage when climbing, but with high altitude climbing does it offer any benefits to the effect of “less tissue to use up what little oxygen you can breath in”?

HariBudhaMagar8 karma

Thank you for the question.

Honestly, not sure! There are many discussion about advantage and disadvantages but I felt pretty good up to 6476m.

alek_hiddel3 karma

Good to know. I've wondered the same thing about that "blade runner" sprinter as well. I'm sure it's like +3 advantage points versus -100 points for not having the limbs, but definitely interesting to think about.

HariBudhaMagar3 karma

Absolutely!

Some advantages are; -Climbing and crossing ladder is easier than able bodied. - Can choose whatever size of the shoe - Can be taller or shorter - Don’t need to change shock for long time 😂😂🤣😂😂

ourbplanet4 karma

Hi Hari, weird question (sorry about it) but I would love to know: in your dreams do you have legs or not? Thanks

HariBudhaMagar4 karma

Weirdly, the most of the time, I still dream running around with my legs 😂😂😂

flatline4life4 karma

Damn. That's some seriously impressive achievements right there, totally in awe of your accomplishments. As someone born in the UK I'd like to express my gratitude for people such as yourself who choose to fight and risk your lives on our behalf.

Has things got better for Gurkhas leaving the Army? It wasn't long ago I seem to remember ex-servicemen having no right to stay in the UK. Do you feel welcome here and consider yourself British after leaving the army? Do you receive adequate support from the MOD and British government? I bloody hope the answer is yes but if it isn't, what work still needs to be done and how can we help?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for your kind words. We were looked after pretty well after our injuries by Army but once you are out it’s own our own. If we need support then we go to the charities. We get our legs from NHS but facility comparing to military not much.

Gurkhas have equal rights who are serving currently but there is still few issues regarding pension who served and retired before 1997.

flatline4life2 karma

Thanks for answering. It always disappoints me how our troops are often left on their own after sacrificing so much.

I'd love to make a donation. Which charity makes the biggest difference for those of you who have suffered serious injuries in combat?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Whatever politically correct, we as soldier, our job is get it done.

There are so many charities helped me during those tough times and without them I wouldn’t here. You can donate any of following;

Blesma
On Course Foundation
Pilgrim Bandits
Combat Stress
British Legion
Gurkha Welfare Trust
Battle Back

frenzyfapper453 karma

Hi Hari!

Do you think your life would‘ve been happier if you didnt loose your legs?

Btw respect man, i absolutely admire you.

HariBudhaMagar3 karma

Absolutely not, I think I am much more happier than I had legs. The best thing after losing my legs was I was able to recognise who I am. I believe happiness doesn’t come from having a lot of money, power, fame or having legs, it’s all about the way you perceive yourself. It’s all about the way we think ourself. No one is perfect, I wasn’t perfect before, not now and won’t be tomorrow, so if we are not happy it better to change the way we think.

frenzyfapper452 karma

Thank you for the answer. I think what you say is really true, and its funny that you say this because im in a situation in my life where i need to ask myself exactly this, but i find it hard to get an answer.

I went to univeristy the last 4 years but i wont be able to graduate because the last exam is way too hard. I‘ll try to absolve it in november but i think i wont make it, and then i have to see what to do with my life. Now im trying to figure out what i want to do if i wont make it, but i dont find it very easy to answer that question. Maybe it just takes some time until one is able to answer it..

HariBudhaMagar2 karma

I believe nothing is easy in life. I failed in class 8 and retest in English in class 10 but I was the first person to graduated from high school from my village. I lost my career, job and leg but I am doing pretty good now. So take it positive, take your time to pass, failing is learning. The most important is never give up.

BatkezAu3 karma

Hi, my husband is an above knee amputee, have you heard of the surgeon Dr Munjed Al Muderis? He invented and performs osseointergration - it changed my husbands life for the better ten fold

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Great to hear! I have few friends who has osseointegration. They love it.

srijankiller3 karma

What is a day like in your life?

HariBudhaMagar3 karma

Thank you for the question. If I am not climbing, I spend time with family specially children, running my business, public speaking, charities and working towards next expedition.

HPB3 karma

Did you ever shop in Tesco in Catterick?

HariBudhaMagar2 karma

I think I didn’t but there is one of my friend might did because he used to live in Catterick when he was injured. We both look pretty much same and lost both our legs above the knee. Even our prosthetics was confused😂

SweetLittleLiar3 karma

[Disclaimer: If any of these questions are too painful, weird, or personal for you to answer, you can just skip over them — I realize I’m kind of nosy sometimes! Due to my autism I have difficulty gauging what is/isn’t appropriate to ask someone, so I apologize in advance if I was rude.]

1) What was your school like? Did you enjoy it? What was your favorite subject?

2) Tell me about your hometown. What did it look like? What kinds of things did you mostly see there? Anything you liked/disliked about it?

3) What civil war occurred during your teenage years?

4) Did you have a specific reason/motivation for joining the British army?

5) I noticed your last name is Budha Magar — I’m actually trying to research Magar culture for a story I’m writing (three of my characters are ethnic Magar Nepalis who were raised in England and move to the US as teenagers). Do you have any suggestions on specific things in Magar and/or Nepali culture that I should be researching to write my characters well? Do you have any suggestions for someone who wants to write a Magar Nepali-English character? (More specifically, is there anything I should definitely do and/or avoid doing when writing a Magar character? I don’t want to validate any negative stereotypes, and I don’t want the characters to be missing something that’s really important in Magar culture. Also if there’s anything you specifically want to see in my characters, please tell me!)

6) You can skip over this if it’s not appropriate to say on social media, but what exactly do the Gurkhas do? What’s their motivation/goals?

7) Are you religious? If so, what’s your religion? (If it doesn’t have a name, feel free to just describe it in as much detail as you want.)

8) How is the UK different from (or similar to) Nepal?

9) Do you see a lot of animals in the mountains? If so, which kinds?

10) What are some British English slangs popular with people from the part of England you live in?

HariBudhaMagar3 karma

Thank you for the a lot of questions;

  1. I went school beer foot walking about 45 minutes each way. I learnt to write on wooden plank with chalk stone. My favourite subject was math.

  2. Mirul, Rolpa in Nepal. It’s very remote. We had to go to miles to get water from small stream, used to take two weeks to get salt from neighbouring district Dang. Fortunately, now they don’t have to travel that far. I could see hills, mountains animals and jungle. I didn’t like the hardship, not much future even now but I like the kindness & helpfulness of the people in the village.

  3. It’s Moist uprising against the government. More than 17000 people were killed during 10 years. There were 19 people killed in my village when I left. Luckily, we have peace now.

  4. I joined because my father asked me because he always wanted to join he couldn’t because he was just one son. If son dies inheritance is distributed to nephews, so his parents didn’t let him join. Our father always used to tell us that one of you must join the army. We are three brothers and I’m the oldest one. He also used say us that British Army is too tough join Indian Army, if not join Nepalese Army. But most of remote villages in Nepal, we follow our parent’s dream than our own. I also seen few students from school who joined, we normally follow what we see. As being a Nepalese boy we can join four different armies. British, Singapore, Indian and Nepalese Army. It’s pretty much culturally best thing to do joining the British Army and pretty much every boys dream.

  5. In Nepal, our surname is our caste. There are many tribes in Nepal and we all speak different languages and ear different costumes. My caste/tribe is Magar and sub-caste is Budha, so I am Budha Magar. This is very big question and I can’t answer typing here but some of the things I don’t know myself, so I apologise. If you are interested, please DM me I will sign post to you with right people. Please don’t write something not fact because this is very sensitive subject.

  6. I suggest you to google about Gurkhas, you can able too find all the information. In short Gurkhas are men from Nepal and joined the British Army, we are a part of British Army since 1805.

  7. I am a Buddhist but parents and wife are Hindu. But I don’t practice my religion much, I believe in science and hard-work. But I respect all the religions but don’t like some people manipulate the religion to use for their interest.

  8. It’s pretty much different planet. The system, culture, people, education, infrastructure, food etc.

  9. Not many because it’s very cold. I have seen a lot of mountain goats and yaks. If you are lucky, you can see mountain leopard.

I hope I have answered the most of your questions.

thebuddywithglasses3 karma

Hey inspiring stuff you got there! Since you're a mountaineer, what EDC (Every Day Carry) gear do you carry?

HariBudhaMagar2 karma

I guess you want to know EDC on mountain. It depends on terrain and weather. I carry warm and waterproof clothes, water bottle, harness, carabiners, watch, ice axe or walking poles, google or glasses, energy bars, alan keys for legs, spare gloves, lip bum, suncream etc. rest of kits are carried by my team.

thebuddywithglasses2 karma

You should always have a good pocket knife with you my friend, everything else is just as awesome! Keep going strong, you are an inspiration!

HariBudhaMagar2 karma

Thank you for your kind words, appreciated 🙏🏼

rosedesahara2 karma

Hi Hari. Out of all the physical activities you could have pursued, why did you start climbing? ..

Also, how do you keep yourself positive and motivated in tough times? Any words of advice for the rest of us?

Best wishes to you for continued success and thank you for being a hero to us all !

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for the questions. I wanted to climb when I was child. After my injury when I was skiing in Alps, looking the mountains it brought back my memories. I wanted to climb Everest so started testing myself whether I can do it. All the mountains I climbed just to train for Everest never thought that I would climb that many, still one more before the Everest.

I get distracted sometimes but I try to focus on my goals, I do what I love, I ignore negative and try to surround with positive people. I am not expert on anything but focus on what you love to do, ignore the negative people, surround yourself with positive people and never give up.

Thank you for your kind words.

mattahihi2 karma

Do you have sweatproblems on the limbs(under the liner), and how do you deal with it?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for the questions. Not much in the mountain because it’s cold. But if I sweat wipe out when possible and carry on.

Base_Camp82 karma

Hello sir! Namaste. This is incredible. Kind of a weird question...

I know there are a lot of amazing and encouraging people in the climbing scene. But I also know there can be some toxic ones and some elitist. Not trying to be negative but have you received any pushback from other climbers? And if you so how do you deal with it?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Namaste sir 🙏🏼, thank you for very good question and very related. As you know, some people and companies have their interest and ego in every sector. There is many politics played on mountain and people’s lives. You may already know about they banned double amputees and blinds from climbing. We had to go to Supreme Court to overturn the ban. So I am aware most of the politics goes on the mountain and I will try to avoid all that and do my job and come back down whole team safely. But any help in the mountain would be appreciated, if you are on the mountain.

Base_Camp82 karma

Very interesting. Thank you for the response. And good luck to you and all your future adventures!

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

It’s my pleasure! Thank you 🙏🏼

h1mera2 karma

How much help have you had to climb MeraPeak?

HariBudhaMagar2 karma

Thank you for the question. I had great help from my team, without I wouldn’t able to achieve it. Whatever we do, team work and management is so important for success.

BigBrain932 karma

How did it feel to finally reached the top and proved anything is possible? Also, what expeditions do you have planned for the future?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Check on the video, I was crying. Next Himlung in Oct/Nov and Everest next year if the current situation improves and goes according to the plan.

BigBrain932 karma

Sorry, I forgot to watch the video. Thanks for the response!

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Not at all!

[deleted]2 karma

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HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Namaste 🙏🏼 I am sorry I didn’t get your question. I think your brother are thinking to apply something abroad. Honestly, I have no clue about that because I was injured in Afghanistan while I was serving in the British Army. I am sorry if didn’t get it.

[deleted]1 karma

[removed]

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Don’t worry I don’t have good English eighter. You can ask me in Nepali.

Yes, there is a lot of different. Some countries much better but some countries same or worse than Nepal.

In the U.K. and US is much better, probably the best. Most of public places are accessible including trains and bushes, petrol station, schools, hospitals, libraries, most of the hotel and restaurants etc. The most of the parking places has disable parking and it’s free of charge paraking.

All government offices are disable friendly, even talking on the phone, or braille even banks and some big companies offer disable friendly services. But definitely some places are not friendly .....

There is also descent benefits system depends on disability. The certain level of disability don’t pay Road Tax and can buy VAT free cars because it’s part of independent. People who qualify free Road Tax take car to the cities free of congestion and toll charges.

There a lot of things needs to do in Nepal and one of the reason my climb is for disability awareness, so government of Nepal and it’s officials recognise need of people with disabilities but also we also educated about our rights and seek with government. The disability awareness is just not only needed by our Nepal government but every governments around the world.

mortalwombat-2 karma

In one of your pictures it looked like your crampons were just taped onto your prosthetics. Is that really what’s going on, and have you had anyone come forward to try to help with any improvements for specialized gear?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for the question.

I didn’t have any crampons as you stated but I tried one of my friend’s. I was one of first ever double above knee amputee to start climbing mountain with prosthetic. There was crampons designed even can’t see in the market now. One my friends single above knee amputee lent his crampons and started climbing, I haven’t sent him back those crampons yet. Then we made some improvements but there is still room for improvement. I hope I have answered your questions.

DearMarionberry6272 karma

Hi Hari!

Question. Aside from keeping in top physical shape, do you also have to do any special respiratory exercises (other then basic cardio) to keep your lungs optimal for high altitudes? If so, what? Thank you.

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for the question. Yes, swimming, cold shower and yoga which I believe helps massively.

SweetLittleLiar2 karma

What kind of yoga do you do mostly?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Hatha mainly but part of everything.

spartan-442 karma

Do you use a prosthetic or just very comfortable and sturdy sockets?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for the question. Yes, I use prosthetic with liners and suction sockets. I started from stubbies, then C-legs, Giniums and now I have X3 for walking. I tried blades for running but don’t use much. I use stubbies with different feet for climbing.

spartan-442 karma

What do you mean by stubbies? Just a really short pylon that goes directly from socket to foot and skips the knee?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Yes, that’s correct. In another words short or small legs. These legs mostly used by double above knee amputees.

tinyOnion2 karma

What is your favorite type of climbing and why is it trad?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for the question. I like climbing in ice because my feet don’t sink in the snow. I really struggle in deep and soft snow but also unstable surface.

kcprdp062 karma

Bro currently kun country hunu huncha ? And if you are in Nepal , can I make a video on you ?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Namaste Bro 🙏🏼 Ma ahile U.K. ma chhu. Kripaya kasto video banaune ra tapaiko barema malai message wa email gari dinu hola ani kura garaunla hai ta. Mero email [email protected]

coryrenton2 karma

Are there any unusual prostheses you are interested in trying out that don't resemble traditional limbs? Are there any unusual treatments for phantom limb syndrome you've tried?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for the questions. I would love to try any prosthetics, if they are suitable for me and help others in the future.

I used to have a lot of phantom pain and taken a lot of medication like pregabalin, amytrityline, morphine and so on but also used electric device but I don’t have much now. I have occasionally but mange it well without medication.

coryrenton2 karma

Has anyone ever suggested some form of video/mirror therapy (that's the one I see in textbooks most often)?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

I heard that but never tried it.

coryrenton2 karma

That's interesting -- I would have thought that would be the first thing doctors would suggest. I suppose it's harder to do with double amputees, but I figured there would be webcam/software solutions by now.

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Not sure why they didn’t suggested, maybe they didn’t know or authorised the treatment.

Bocksford2 karma

Do your prosthetic legs provide you with the same height as you once had before?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Yes, I can be short or tall if want to. I just need an alan key 😂😂😂

Bocksford2 karma

How tall have you gotten?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Two inch taller than I was.

Bocksford2 karma

Would you go any taller?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

I wouldn’t coz taller I become, hard to control legs.

Bocksford2 karma

I see. Is there an ideal height you prefer?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

For me, whatever height I have is good. But it depends on amputation and how much left.

mmmmmjjjrrrrr2 karma

Namaste! From India. I've read all your answers and I think you're great inspiration to someone. This questions are odd, but. 1. What would you tell to people who think you're great, you're god to people & none could have done it but you? 2. Would you love that honour to become so called inspiration model or just want to be treated like everyone else? 3. Would you feel overwhelmed thinking about how people would tell your stories to kids?

HariBudhaMagar2 karma

Namaste 🙏🏼 Thank you for the questions.

  1. I feel good when someone appreciates me and I feel that I need to do more and it gives me inspiration. But I am definitely not a god, many people told me that after seeing/meeting & reading my story, you changed my life but to be honest, I didn’t do anything, they did themselves, other people like me can’t change them, only they can change themselves, so they should be proud themselves.

  2. I feel uncomfortable when people call me icon, celebrity, or inspirational model. I am just normal human who has no legs. But I want to position myself from where I am in position to speak for voiceless and change wrong perception on people with disability. The world should look at us as human than disable.

  3. No, I don’t feel overwhelmed. My job is focus on what I do and send some positive message to the world and tell anything is possible, if we set our mind, committed, disciplined, work hard and never give up. But how other people tells my story is out of my hand but I will do everything I can to keep positive image of what I do.

sharmajikabhatija2 karma

Namaste Hari bhai, neighbour here lol.

1- What's the most intense combat scenario you've faced (if any)?

2- Which languages can you speak?

3- Which language did you use mostly in your unit?

4- Do you have any plan of coming back to Nepal?

5- How much is the difference between salary for a Gurkha in Nepali army and in British army? (for your rank)

Thanks

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Namaste Dai, Thank you for the questions.

  1. Sorry dai! I wouldn’t discuss the scenarios here because I may compromise the institution I worked.

  2. I speak, kham, nepali, English, hindi and malay sikit-sikit (little bit)h

  3. We use nepali when speak but English for official like lessons, orders, instructions and writing reports.

  4. Yes, I grew up in Nepal until age of 19, I come back every year, sometimes couple of times. I would like to return and live in Nepal at least half of the year and give back something through making awareness of disability and making modern rehabilitation centre and spend my retirement in Nepal.

  5. Honestly, don’t know the difference. I think there is quite a lot. I hope you can find out on internet.

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

sharmajikabhatija2 karma

Thanks dai,good luck

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you brother 🙏🏼

I searched in the internet for you but not sure how accurate they are. Please check them below;

https://www.ratojob.com/nepal-army-salary-range/

http://www.armedforces.co.uk/armypayscales.php#.Xy1lTyV4XDs

danielbobjunior2 karma

Endurance and exposure aside, what's the hardest technical move you've been able to do? Have you tried short rock climbs or waterice climbs?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for the question.

I have done few climbing and all are equally hard. The higher I go the harder it gets. So far I climbed Mont Blanc, Killimanjaro, Chulu Far East and Mera Peak but some other peaks and passes. And yes, I climbed few small indoor and outdoor rock climbing but my focus has been mountains in last 5 years.

ChalkAndIce2 karma

Do you have concerns about needing subsequent amputations? I know one previous double amputee who summited Everest had his leg bones destroy the rest of the tissue beneath them, and they needed to further amputate several more inches.

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for the question.

Yes, that’s one of the challenge and the risk I have taken in account even some of my friends joke me that, I won’t get frostbite 🥶😂😂 We are designing insulated sockets and heating system in the sockets. I have trialed them twice working pretty well, of course there is room for improvements.

ChalkAndIce2 karma

Have you given consideration to attempting some first ascents? I'm aware there are tons of mountains in the Himalaya that haven't even been attempted because of permits and the huge focus on peaks like Everest.

Edit: You're an inspiration by the way. More people could learn from your determination!

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Honestly No, my aim is to climb the Everest, then will think about later.

ChalkAndIce2 karma

Thanks for responding and best of luck my friend!

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

My pleasure, thank you 🙏🏼

nubee1232 karma

Can I ask you about how you lost your leg in the army ? I had read about you somewhere before, I was totally shocked. Back then I wanted to be laure. Namaskar

Edit: If you have time maybe make a whole post in r/Nepal in detail about how you felt, your regrets wishes dreams thank you

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for your question. Yes, I lost my legs when I was serving in Afghanistan with the British Gurkhas. I can’t lie the facts. I am also very proud to serve 15 years being a Gurkha because Nepal is known by three things 1. Home of Gurkhas 2. Everest and 3. Birth Place of Lord Buddha. I am a small contributor of our nation’s I pride.

There is a lot of politics around it and I don’t want to touch that side but there is nothing wrong with gurkhas serving for United Kingdom while many of our brothers working in Middle East.

I have no regrets for me losing my both legs. Regretting and worrying doesn’t solve the problem. Whatever happens it happens for good. I know many people loose their limbs every year which we can’t stop but what we can do after is important. Happiness doesn’t come from having a lot of money, being famous or having power. No one is perfect, so happiness comes from how we perceive ourselves. If we are unhappy, let’s change the way we think and that’s what I learnt after my injury.

Brother, if you would like find more about me. Please check my website, social medias or google Hari Budha Magar.

mebrainthinks2 karma

Thank you for taking the time to share about your life. What was the best part of summiting Mera Peak and challenges you faced as well as how you overcame those obstacles?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for the questions. Best part was feeling relief because I didn’t know that whether I could make it. Other thing was looking Everest otherside, so beautiful. I couldn’t stop crying when I summited.

Challenge was self doubt because even I was about 5000m earlier, how my body would fee, how the prosthetic legs will do, how the team will work, what’s weather going to be and I was testing some of the kits never tested before. But after all it was worth it, so if you want to do something go and try it. Stop worrying! The worst thing will be you will fail but failing is learning. Failing is not end of life.

Marshallton2 karma

Ok firstly, that's fucking incredible!! I'm a student prosthetist in the UK, what kind of legs do you walk on in your treks? Mainly stubbies I'd hazard a guess, but do you walk the last bits on your primary legs?

HariBudhaMagar2 karma

Thank you for the questions? First, I live in Canterbury in Kent and met and spoken to many trainee students.

I used C-legs, Ginium and now using X3 for my day to day & walking. I mostly trek with X3 but I use stubbies with different feet for technical climbing because one of X3 is more than 5 kgs and difficult to handle. I hope I have answered your questions.

Marshallton2 karma

Nice! Wouldn't surprise me if I knew some of them :P yeah that's great! Thank you!

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

My pleasure! All the best.

cyborgboi7052 karma

Dude you’re an inspiration! As a double above knee amputee too I have so many questions but I’ll stick with one, how did you start? Because for me starting anything is the hardest part.

HariBudhaMagar2 karma

Thank you for the question. After my injury, first thing I did was sky diving, I did because 1. I was in suicidal mode, 2. I never done before, so wanted experience. Once, I have done it and landed safely, I found little confidence that eve guy with no leg still can do something. Then I tested myself that what I can do physically after losing legs. I realised that you can do everything, it’s just different way to do it. If adapt, there nothing is Impossible.

Before I took the mountain, I tested myself many physical activities mainly sports and adventure. For climbing, I started indoor, outdoor and hiking then went to big mountains. I am not finished yet, ultimately I want to climb Mt. Everest.

Sorry for long answer but I think I needed to tell you little background. I hope I have answered your question and happy to answer any questions you have.

cyborgboi7052 karma

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for answering my question. I was suicidal too but I wasn’t brave enough to experience stuff. But I read an article about you a while back and that’s when I thought that if others can do it, why can’t I try too. So I started with swimming. It took forever but now I’m able to swim again. Thanks to you actually. I’m sure you can do it! Best of luck when you try it, I’m rooting for you.

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Awesome to hear! Thank you for sharing. Please never give up and I wish you all the very best🙏🏼

justapassionfruit1 karma

Wow. Hi Hari, thanks for sharing your amazing story. Multi part question here:

Do you suffer from PTSD or any other mental health issues? If so, how do you manage your mental health and stay so positive?

Would you have any advice for people dealing with lack of confidence or motivation / stress / anxiety / depression / PTSD etc?

Thank you

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you for the questions.

Yes, I did suffer and had 6 weeks residential treatment with Combat Stress where I learnt a lot of coping strategy and human psychology. I use them when I feel down but definitely mountain and outdoor nature helps mental health. Medical professionals say that stay two hours every day outside home with nature is good for mental health. Mountain helps me to forgetting everything outside world and focus on just climbing and being mindful.

I am not a medical professional and tell what to do about PTSD but I can certainly tell you what I did.

I accidentally started doing sports and adventures which turned around my life and gave confidence back. Now my goal is climbing Everest but after my injury my goal was brushing teeth myself, go to toilet alone, have shower, transfer to wheelchair and later driving a car etc. All goals and dream is dream and it has equal value. For someone is nothing but for others might be start of everything.

Sometimes things can be overwhelming but I achieved one by one as I climb the mountain one step at a time. Worrying just doesn’t solve the problem, we need to get out, work hard, disciplined, focus and solve one at a time. When we achieve something big or small which give us confidence and in my view confidence is everything in our life.

hedgedogdoghedge1 karma

Inspirational. Thanks for doing an AMA. Did you used to climb before you lost your legs? If so which mountains did you climb?

HariBudhaMagar1 karma

Thank you 🙏🏼 I would say not much. I climbed Mount Kinabalu twice which is just 4095m.

dwabt_it1 karma

Hello! How do you mentally prepare for these expeditions beforehand? What advice on mindset do you have for people aspiring to accomplish a tough goal?

HariBudhaMagar3 karma

Thank you for the questions. Honestly, I just go and do pretty much the same things everytime. I imagine myself on the top and work one step at a time. I have promised myself that I will never give up. I will stop climbing when I die or accomplish my dream.

But when I think back when I was initially started a lot of fear, anxiety but also naysayers. I did a lot of research, read many books about mountain, watched documentaries and movies and articles about Everest. My wife said No and I told her that please let me do what I want to do and you do what you want to do. We have common responsibilities about children, so if I am at home I will look after them, when I climb the mountain you look after them. I believe my children will be more proud me dying on the mountain than moaning at home.

There is reason behind doing anything which for me is making disability awareness and change the narrative around us. We are all human and can do many things, we just look different or work differently.

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HariBudhaMagar2 karma

Thank you for your comment. If we really want to do it we will find the way. I believe “life is all about adaptation.” It’s very simple but important.