From Germany to the UK: An Amputee’s 1000km Cycle Across Europe
Posted on 07 October 2016
From 8th to 13th October 2016, below knee amputee Ronny Schöniger is making an unusual journey – from Koblenz in Germany to Basingstoke – all on his bicycle!
Diagnosed with muscular atrophy in 1991, Ronny was bound to a wheelchair until he elected to have his right leg amputated below the knee in 2007. To stay healthy and slow the muscle wasting, Ronny keeps active with regular workouts, bike rides and hiking.
Ronny will be riding from Germany, through Belgium and France, to England to raise awareness of muscular atrophy and to fulfil a personal ambition. Ronny wants to push the boundaries of his condition, and encourage other people with prosthetic legs and muscular dystrophy to achieve their own goals. In order to make this journey possible, Ronny is supported by the orthopaedic technicians of Heinrich & Klassmann and the prosthetic manufacturer, Blatchford.
On Saturday 8th October, Ronny will set off from the Heinrich & Klassmann orthopaedic clinic in Koblenz, Germany. His route will take him to Belgium to visit Amptraide, an amputee association, and then on to Western France to visit the Centre Jacques Calve rehabilitation hospital. On Thursday, 13th October, Ronny will arrive in the UK at Blatchford’s headquarters based in Basingstoke.
The Route
Follow Ronny
You can follow his progress on his Facebook page or keep an eye on our Twitter or Facebook feeds during his epic journey.
Blatchford is the designer and manufacturer of the Endolite range of lower limb prostheses, including the BladeXT sports blade and Silcare Breathe liner that Ronny is using for his journey.