Laura Armstrong

Five years after her elective amputation, Laura Armstrong’s story showcases how recovery can become a launchpad rather than a limitation.

Laura was born with fibrous dysplasia, a rare bone condition that affected the fibula in her left leg and caused ongoing complications from childhood. Reflecting on the limitations she faced growing up, Laura said: “I couldn’t ever do any form of exercise or walk any real distance.”

She experienced ongoing pain, repeated hospital visits and several procedures, alongside the social challenges that came with her condition. Looking back on her younger years, Laura noted that: “schools and workplaces were a lot less accepting of someone who had an invisible disability”, which added another layer of difficulty to everyday life.

More than a decade ago, Laura was diagnosed with aggressive fibromatosis (desmoid-type fibromatosis), which led to painful tumours in the same leg and required multiple rounds of chemotherapy. Despite everything she faced, she remained determined to stay positive, explaining that: “during the treatment I became a more positive person as this was the best way to get through it.”

When treatment options were exhausted, Laura made the decision to undergo an amputation at the Royal Free Hospital, London, in April 2021. She recalled that when amputation was suggested: “I didn’t even have to think about it. I asked them to get rid of my leg as I didn’t want it anymore.”

While the decision could have been life-changing in the most difficult way, Laura experienced it differently. She described adapting to her prosthesis as transformative, saying: “I felt that once my leg had been removed, I became the proper version of myself.”

Throughout her recovery, Laura focused on regaining her independence and confidence. Maintaining a positive mindset was key to adapting to life with her prosthesis, alongside noticeable physical improvements and renewed self-belief.

Social media also played an important role in her recovery, both as a source of information and connection. As Laura explained: “Social media was the first place I went to find people like me, learn about things and interact with people.” Connecting with other amputees helped her feel less isolated and more empowered as she adjusted to her new reality.

Through social media, Laura became aware of Dorset Orthopaedic Clinic in Amersham and the prosthetic work being shared by other patients. With support available through her husband’s workplace, she accessed care at the clinic as part of her ongoing recovery.

As Laura’s confidence grew, she began to reconsider activities she had previously dismissed. Her journey into climbing began almost by chance when she was searching for a new hobby shortly before Covid. Initially, it didn’t spark much interest.

However, after her amputation, Laura returned to climbing with a completely different perspective. Driven by a desire to challenge expectations, she said: “I felt determined to do something that I know I shouldn’t really be doing as a person with one leg.” What began as a challenge soon became an opportunity to explore her own potential and redefine her limits.

That determination has taken Laura from rehabilitation to international competition. In 2025, she joined the British Para Climbing Team’s development squad and achieved gold in her first-ever competition in Amsterdam.

Looking ahead, Laura has ambitions to compete at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, while continuing to embrace new challenges. Alongside her sporting goals, she is pursuing other ambitions, including becoming a pilot and travelling whenever possible.

For Laura, everything comes back to mindset. Her advice to others is simple: “Try your best to have a positive attitude, that’s what got me through everything.” She is also a strong believer in fate and the idea that challenges often lead to new opportunities, adding: “I’m a big believer in fate, and all the bad things in your life are happening because there is something better waiting for you in the future.”