James Bertrand

More than 25 years after first becoming a patient at Dorset Orthopaedic, James Bertrand's story shows how resilience, determination and the right support can open the door to extraordinary achievements.

James was born with a rare condition called Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, which left him with severe blood clots in both legs. Despite every effort by specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital to save them, he underwent a below-knee amputation of his left leg at just 18 months old.

Although his right leg was saved, it was left severely damaged. James spent much of his childhood undergoing surgery, explaining: “Up until the age of 22, I'd had 33 operations.”

Frequent hospital admissions, long recovery periods and repeated prosthetic adjustments meant James's childhood looked very different to most. Reflecting on this period of his life, he said: “I've spent around five and a half years of my life either in a wheelchair, on crutches, or not being as able as I would have liked to be.”

Alongside the physical challenges came the everyday moments James couldn't share. While other children played football in the playground or jumped on the trampoline together, he could only watch from the sidelines.

Despite the setbacks, those experiences helped shape the mindset that continues to define him today. Looking back, James explained: “As tough as it's been, I'm actually really grateful for those times because now I know how good life can be.”

As James grew older, however, the ongoing pain in his right leg became increasingly difficult to manage. Determined to improve his quality of life, he began exploring alternative treatment options.

In 2018, after a year of fundraising supported by his family, friends and local community, James travelled to Australia to undergo osseointegration surgery. As part of the procedure, his right leg was amputated and a titanium implant was fitted directly into the bone, allowing a prosthetic limb to attach without the need for a traditional socket.

Recovery required patience, gradually increasing the amount of weight he could bear through the implant before learning to walk again. Despite how demanding the process was, James only saw it as a necessary step towards his long-term goal: “I always knew that I was going to recover from it and have a good life.”

As his confidence grew, James began setting himself increasingly ambitious challenges. After climbing Mount Batur in Bali with his brother just over a year after surgery, he set his sights on something even bigger.

In 2023, after a year of dedicated training, James travelled to Finland to take on the Red Bull 400, widely regarded as the world's toughest 400-metre race. Standing at the bottom of the 37-degree ski jump, he admitted: “I don't usually get much self-doubt, but seeing all these fully able-bodied people struggling and some people quitting really got into my head.” Despite those nerves, James became the first double amputee to complete the event, crossing the finish line in four minutes and 17 seconds.

Alongside his sporting achievements, James has built a career as a disability awareness and motivational speaker, sharing his experiences with schools, charities and businesses across the UK. What began as a talk to a local Girl Guides group at just 14 has developed into a role that gives him purpose, helping others navigate adversity and embrace change through his own experiences.

Looking ahead, James is preparing to spend several months travelling with his fiancée across India, Sri Lanka, Japan and New Zealand while continuing to inspire others through public speaking. Although he has no major sporting challenges planned for now, his focus remains on staying healthy, appreciating how far he has come and embracing new experiences.

For James, everything comes back to perspective. His advice to others facing amputation or significant life changes is simple: “This change is not the end. It genuinely is just the start of a new chapter.”