by Andrew Diprose.
Lindsay Chapman is one very determined woman.
And she’ll need every ounce of determination for what she admits will be a particularly tough challenge next month.
The 46-year-old artist, who lives in Three Legged Cross, will be handcycling 220 miles in Italy, from Milan to Venice, in three days from September 23.
Lindsay will be joined by her partner Richie Blackburn, friend Robbie Still and fellow paraplegic Lizzie Tench, for the ride, organised by Dream Challenges.
They’ll be part of a 30-strong group together with full support crew.
Lindsay, who is paralysed from the chest down, and Richie are raising money for the Steve Bernard Foundation.
Fifteen years ago Lindsay’s world was turned upside down in an instant.
Then a finance analyst in Poole – and also working part-time in the 63 (UKSF) Signal Squadron – she was knocked off her motorbike at a roundabout in Poole.
Lindsay said: “I was just unlucky and I broke my back. I was knocked unconscious for a couple of minutes.
“As I came to and started trying to move – and tried to move my legs – I knew straight away what had happened.”
Lindsay spent four and a half months at the Spinal Treatment Centre at Salisbury District Hospital.
She underwent spinal surgery to stabilise her spine and then learnt all of the skills necessary to live an independent life such as dressing, showering and moving about.
Lindsay said: “The best way of dealing with it was to realise this was my life now although it was still very, very hard.
“In the hospital you’ve got this support network around you and it’s a safe bubble.
“The shock and reality is once you leave that and try to live life independently.
“In the early days, just being able to go to the bathroom, shower and dress was exhausting.
“To do that every morning I’d need to have a little nap for an hour or so before doing something in the afternoon and then I’d be exhausted in the evenings.
“In the early days this is how your life is broken down.
“It’s like being born again with this new body and just surviving is your everyday challenge.
“The first time I attempted to go the supermarket, independently, was like climbing a mountain.
“Now, I don’t even think about doing something like that.
“The last 15 years have had its highs and lows including some big operations.
“I’ve been fortunate to have great support at home and also in the spinal injury community.
“What I’ve learnt is that with the right mindset and support, anything is possible.
“I’m still able to enjoy the things that I love such as sport, cycling, horse riding and travel.”
Lindsay met Lizzie through a Facebook group for people with spinal cord injuries.
Ten years ago, Lizzie was out cycling with her partner when she was struck by a trailer towed by a vehicle.
She suffered horrendous multiple injuries including spinal cord damage which left her paralysed from the waist down.
Lizzie subsequently went onto become a paratriathlete.
She was the British paratriathlon champion for four consecutive years and also the European Champion.
Lizzie also won silver at the 2016 World Championships and competed for England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Lindsay said: “We’ve become amazingly close and understand each other.
“Doing a challenge with a fellow paraplegic means we can give each other moral support.”
Lindsay began her training for next month’s Italian challenge in the winter.
She’s now in the most intense period, training five days a week.
A recent weekend included two 40-mile rides on successive days with over 100 miles covered in the past week.
To date Lindsay and Richie have raised more than £600 for the Steve Bernard Foundation.
She said: “This charity supports budding athletes with things such as sports equipment so that they are then able to pursue their dreams.
“They very kindly supported me when I was selected and then competed at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto.
“I was successful in winning a gold medal in the 100m wheelchair racing event and this would not have been possible without the support I had, including the Steve Bernard Foundation.
“Any donations and support will be hugely appreciated.”
Tony Bernard, director and trustee of the Steve Bernard Foundation, said: “As a small local charity, we were delighted to have been able to support Lindsay on her journey to winning an Invictus gold medal.
“Now we are really humbled, but not surprised, by Lindsay, who is supporting us by taking on this amazing challenge.
“We wish her well and hope her adventure is a good one, without any punctures!”
To support Lindsay and make a donation to the Steve Bernard Foundation visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Lindsay-Chapman12.