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I built my own prosthetic leg for swimming

I built my own prosthetic leg for swimming

Summary

Alex Young, an engineer from Dorset, built his own prosthetic leg for swimming after having his lower leg amputated due to a serious bone infection. He tested his homemade swimming limb in the sea and plans to create other prostheses to compete in a triathlon and raise money for charity.

Key Facts

  • Alex Young, 46, had his leg amputated below the knee in August 2025 due to osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection.
  • He previously built a running prosthetic leg from inexpensive online parts.
  • Young designed a swimming prosthesis with a paddle attached to the end of a metal rod to help him swim.
  • He tested the swimming leg for the first time in the sea at Knoll Beach on Studland.
  • Young hopes to build a cycling prosthesis to complete a triathlon.
  • He plans to run 5 km in July to raise money for Dorset County Hospital.
  • Young wants to stay active and inspire others who use prosthetics to lead active lives.
  • He has ideas for future charity challenges, including potentially climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
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