Extreme hiker Kevin Sheppard has been on a long road to recovery after suffering a heart-breaking string of losses as well as lifelong foot problems.
In 2010, while in his early forties, Kevin took part in a polar challenge to raise money for a children's bereavement charity.
The 350 nautical mile hike to the Magnetic North Pole, pulling a 150kg pulk, was in memory of his late brother, who died in a motorbike accident as a teenager.
Twelve years later, Kevin’s health started to decline as his lifelong foot problem became so bad he was barely able to walk.
Luckily Simon Clint and Rick Brown at the Cotswold Foot and Ankle Clinic, based at Nuffield Health Hospital in Cheltenham, were able to offer him a second chance of life.
Simon quickly realised the case was unusual and complex and sought a second opinion from Rick.
Rick, one of the most senior foot and ankle surgeons in the UK, undertook foot reconstruction surgery in June 2023.
He realigned bones and ligaments in Kevin's foot, breaking the heel to reposition it through keyhole surgery, as well as realigning Kevin’s toes and lowering the arch of his foot.
Kevin
said: ‘Rick was very understanding and always went
above and beyond to check that I was okay. He got to know me — it felt
personal — and he supported me throughout.'
Three days post-surgery, Kevin sadly lost his mother, which left him devastated.
Shortly after, his father’s health also declined, and Kevin had to care for him, which was very difficult while remaining non-weight-bearing for several weeks post-surgery.
While going through all this, Kevin undertook
physiotherapy to try and get back on his feet.
Kevin said: 'Being able to walk on my foot again for the first time and practicing some walking techniques felt surreal. Physiotherapist Iestyn Rees was a very big part of my recovery — hugely supportive and understanding.
'All the staff were very patient and extremely attentive to my needs. I went through hydrotherapy as well which helped with my rehabilitation and recovery.'
Just eight months later, Kevin was back for follow-up surgery to correct a few ligaments and undergo a bunion correction, followed by 12 months of follow-ups.
Kevin said: 'The ward staff were great — they came in and checked on me every hour the first night. Everyone was so professional, friendly, caring, and attentive. That’s what you want when you’ve just been through something major.
'By April 2024, after two successful surgeries and keeping my foot elevated for a number of weeks, I was back up on my feet using crutches, walking much longer distances, which was incredible progress! For three years before the surgery, I could barely walk more than 400 yards.'
A week after this second surgery, Kevin sadly lost his father, which completely devastated him — losing both parents in such a short space of time.
He said: 'The team at Nuffield has been really supportive through some of the toughest times in my life. Every single person has gone totally above and beyond. The surgeons are like gods to me — that’s the only way I can describe it.'
Surgeon Rick said: 'Kevin is a very motivated individual, and that makes a big difference in a patient if they’re willing to do as much as they can to get back to full health. His dedication to his rehab is the real key.'
Kevin said: 'I owe him and all the staff everything for supporting me through my long journey to being able to walk and stand completely pain-free for the first time in many years. I hugely thank everyone so much for giving me my life back.'
To find out about what a Nuffield Health Cheltenham Hospital foot and ankle consultant can do for you, call (01242) 246574.
Kevin dedicates this article to the memory of his late mother, father and brother. To find out more about his polar challenge, visit teamsheppard.co.uk.
