Scotland coast to coast canoe expedition

Hi, my name is Damian.

In 1986, aged 17,I was diagnosed with bone cancer. As a result of this I had a year of toxic chemo and a total leg amputation.

The whole episode left me with a life long disability and very poor mental health.

In the 1980s there was scant support for people like me.

I had to rebuild my life.

The experience had one positive impact, it made me driven to succeed and prove everyone wrong. I was written off, was told I wouldn't amount to anything.

I proved everyone wrong and showed the world what can be achieved despite our differences.

My mental health since has been poor.

I came across a charity called Climbing Out last year, it's really helped me.

It helped me to try to make sense of what happened to me and to look at it in a different way.

I want to repay their kindness, raise money for them and also show other youngsters who find themselves in my situation that a good life can still be had