First Triple Amputee to Scale Everest Base Camp Credits Success to Good Mental Health
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Tinkesh Kaushik was just nine years old when he lost both legs below the knee and his left arm above the shoulder after an electrocution accident. However, Kaushik refuses to let this accident define him. On May 11, 2024, the 30-year-old made history, becoming the world’s first triple amputee to complete the trek to the Everest Base Camp using prosthetic legs.
Everest Base Camp is located at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier, at 17,598 feet and with temperatures of -15°C. Thousands of trekkers hike to Everest Base Camp and other circuits in Nepal every year without ascending the peaks.
Kaushik, accompanied by a trek leader and guide from Nepal, successfully reached the base camp after an eight-day trek. Despite navigating treacherous terrain and high altitudes, he persevered through the harsh weather and acute mountain sickness. Remarkably, he completed the trek using his prosthetic limbs and carrying a 13.2-pound backpack.
This feat made Kaushik the world’s first triple amputee with 90% limb movement restriction to trek to the Everest Base Camp.
Preparing for the Everest Base Camp trek
Since 2021, Kaushik has been working as a fitness coach, model, and motivational speaker, which has created the perfect environment for him to test his physical limits.
Kaushik dedicated himself to running up to 6 miles every day to get ready for the trek. Additionally, he committed to spending up to two hours daily at the gym, focusing on endurance and strength training.
This level of dedication doesn’t come as a surprise from Kaushik, as he has a history of seeking out and conquering challenges. In 2018, he fearlessly bungee-jumped in Nepal, and more recently, in 2021, he explored the depths of the open waters in Puducherry, India, through scuba diving.
However, all his latest achievements wouldn’t have been possible without his resilience and mental strength, which Kaushik developed because of his focus on mental health.
The role of mental health
In an interview with the Indiatimes News, Kaushik shared that hundreds of people with limb loss plunge into depression, and this is because living with a disability can cause people to lose hope. But if one’s mental state is good, anything is possible.
Kaushik’s successful trek to the Everest Base Camp is a powerful reminder of the importance of mental strength in overcoming challenges. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, it’s crucial to seek support from a mental health professional.
Seeking help is a sign of strength, and with the proper support, anything is possible. Take care of your mental health, and the rest will follow.
