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Introducing our champion for adventure, Karen Darke
We are delighted to introduce you to Karen Darke, our new SIA champion for adventure.
Karen has passionately supported our vision of a fulfilled life for everyone affected by spinal cord injury since 2016 and is now taking on an exciting new role, SIA champion for adventure.
Karen started out as a geologist researching gold in the Bolivian Andes, but a life-changing accident that left her with a spinal cord injury led her away from that career path to one in sport, winning Paralympic gold in the sport of Paralympic hand-cycling in Rio 2016. From skiing across icecaps to kayak journeys at extreme latitudes and hand-cycle treks in the world’s biggest mountain ranges, Karen is a passionate advocate for the value of nature and the power of an ‘adventure mindset’ for everyday life.
Karen’s story is proof that with determination, adaptability, and a love of the outdoors, adventure is always possible — no matter the barriers.
Our SIA champion for adventure will encourage our members to challenge themselves to take part in SIA events and other adventurous pursuits. It is hoped that this increases their confidence and gives them the strength to take on the many challenges people with spinal cord injury face in their own lives.
Meet Karen Darke
Hello! I’m thrilled to step into my new role as the SIA champion for adventure.
Over thirty years ago, I became paralysed in a rock-climbing accident at the age of 21. I vividly remember how overwhelming and disorienting those early days were—trying to navigate not just the physical reality of paralysis, but also the emotional and mental shift. The activities that once defined me—movement, nature, wild spaces—seemed to vanish overnight.
I feared a future limited to concrete and tarmac, where the freedom and vitality I felt outdoors might never return. But slowly, a choice emerged.
I could let grief and frustration take root—or I could find a way forward. I realised that while my body had changed, my love for adventure hadn’t. So I began seeking alternative paths into the wild: through sit-skiing, canoeing, and hand-cycling, I started to reconnect with the landscapes I had thought were lost to me.
That journey has taken me further than I ever imagined—cycling through Tibet, the Karakoram, and Patagonia; summiting Kilimanjaro and reaching Everest Base Camp on an ICE trike; kayaking from Canada to Alaska; crossing the Greenland icecap; skiing to the ‘Pole of Possibility’ in Antarctica; and even climbing the 1,000-metre vertical face of El Capitan. None of this happened overnight. Each trip started with a decision to try—despite uncertainty, doubt, and the logistics involved.
And here’s what I’ve learned along the way: we are often our own biggest barrier. When we change our mindset, we unlock a new world of possibility. Adventure, in its many forms, is still within reach—sometimes just waiting for us to say yes.
I look back now and think about what I wish someone had told me in those early days. The night before my accident, I said to a friend, “I’d rather be dead than paralysed. I can’t imagine anything worse.” How wrong I was. I’ve come to see that we’re stronger than we think, braver than we believe, and more capable than we ever imagined. It’s in adversity that our inner resources have the space to reveal themselves.
I believe in the power of adventure and really hope that what I can share with you will inspire you to live your own version of adventure.
Whilst I’ve taken it to extremes, I initially took small adventures – like deciding to push around the hospital grounds every day, or camping for a weekend, sleeping to the stars, or entering a ten-kilometre event and pushing my regular wheelchair around the course. Start with small steps to explore how it makes you feel, and if you like it, build up confidence gradually.
More information
So, if you’re newly paralysed, or just starting to wonder if adventure is for you — try it. It’s great for confidence, meeting people, for fun and a fulfilling life. Check out the top tips from our champion of adventure to get you started:
TIPS FOR EMBRACING ADVENTURE AFTER injury
Karen’s passion for the outdoors extends far beyond hand cycling. Kayaking, sit-skiing, surfing, and paddleboarding are all regular features of her adventurous lifestyle. Find out more about her greatest adventures:
Feeling inspired?
Check out our brand new accessible adventure challenge that is coming to the Peak District this September. Click on the image below to find out more:
Find out more about Karen
Visit Karen’s website to hear more about her story and what latest adventures she has planned:
Check out this great interview with Karen … ‘The strongest adventure athlete you’ve never met’ (Wild Women)