A 21-YEAR-OLD who defied the odds when brain surgery left him partially paralysed is preparing for another massive challenge.
Rob Hughes is heading to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco for a 10-day trek reaching heights of more than 13,000ft to raise funds for trip organisers Journey of a Lifetime Trust (JoLT) – so they can send another young person on the adventure of a lifetime.
Rob, who works as a technical services manager at Solex Systems Ltd in Broughton, was diagnosed with a benign dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour (DNET) when he was just eight. It caused him to have epileptic seizures, which were controlled with medication.
But a routine MRI scan when he was 15 revealed the tumour had started to grow. He had an operation to remove it, but it took eight hours to complete the procedure instead of the expected four.
Rob, who lives in Ellesmere Port, suffered a stroke towards the end of the surgery and was left paralysed down the right side of his body. He was unconscious for almost a week and when he came round his memory was almost non-existent and he had problems with his vision.
But he took doctors by surprise and made a speedy and full recovery within six weeks.
Eighteen months after his ordeal Rob’s consultant put him forward for a place on an expedition organised by JoLT. Every two years the charity sends groups of young people with significant disadvantages on demanding trips to build their confidence and give them the ability to take control of their future.
He said: “I was selected from 16,000 possible applicants and was one of 24 young people to take part in an expedition to South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho.
“I did a skydive to raise the £600 contribution I needed towards the trip.
“The expedition was amazing and I met 23 people who are friends for life – including my now girlfriend Emily who has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user. We kept in touch after the trip and got together last year.”
But it was only last year when Rob was trekking the Jordanian desert to raise money for Parkinson’s UK that he realised just how much the JoLT trip changed his life.
“Thanks to JoLT I have made friends for life, developed a brilliant team ethos, but most importantly I was inspired and empowered to achieve.”
He now wants to raise money to help another young person enjoy a similar experience and in September he’ll go to the Atlas Mountains where he will climb to the summits of Toubkal (13,600 ft), M’Goun (13,500 ft) and Ouanoukrim (13,400 ft).
“I think I’ll be put through my paces,” he said. “I’m in the gym five or six times a week to prepare. I think the only problem will be dealing with any altitude sickness as that can knock you for six!
“I want to give someone else the chance to go on the journey of a lifetime.
“The cost of sending someone on a trip like that is £6,000 and that’s my ultimate goal. But my main focus is on reaching my £2,500 target as every pound makes the difference.”
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/robertjhughes or text JOLT91 and your donation to 70070.
