'The day I walked out with my prosthetic leg was the day my biggest adventure began'

"I named my leg Saoirse as it means freedom in Irish": As part of the Examiner Voices series, we hear from Donegal native Nikki Bradley, an adaptive adventurer who was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer as a child.

Adaptive adventurer Nikki Bradley on overcoming her most difficult challenge yet.

37-year-old Nikki Bradley has overcome challenges and endured pain that most of us cannot begin to imagine.

Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Ewing Sarcoma, Bradley faced a gruelling treatment plan that involved chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. 

“Unfortunately the radiotherapy caused irreversible damage to my hip leading to multiple failed hip replacements and eventually a form of amputation called a Rotationplasty,” Nikki explains.

Since her initial diagnosis, Nikki has shown that she is not your average cancer patient. 

She has been forced to use crutches since 2012 but that has not stopped her from racking up an impressive roll of adventures. She’s climbed glaciers in Iceland, conquered the 4 Peaks, abseiled off Fanad Lighthouse in Donegal and finished the iconic and gruelling 24km Fan Dance in the Brecon Beacons in Wales – all while using crutches and with a great smile on her face.

However, her biggest challenge to date has undoubtedly been her leg amputation and the subsequent recovery involved. 

Rotationplasty is a rare and very complex surgery that involved the removal of Nikki’s thigh and knee. Her shin, and foot were then rotated and reattached where her hip was. 

“I won't lie, this surgery was the most difficult surgery I think I have ever experienced. 

The pain was much worse than anticipated and this along with some set backs in my personal life made the recovery incredibly difficult at times.” 

Despite the pain, Nikki was determined not to let the world close around her.

Grit

“I am a fan of setting goals. Adventure never really left my mind, but I knew I needed to get back on two feet again before I would attempt anything. 

The day I walked out with my prosthetic leg was the day my biggest adventure began. I named my leg Saoirse as it means freedom in Irish.” 

37-year-old Nikki Bradley underwent a rotationplasty surgery in 2022 which involved losing part of her leg.

In 2023, Nikki was approached by VHI to be an ambassador for their 10km Women’s Mini Marathon. 

“It was a great opportunity to restart my training after my amputation, so it was an easy yes.

“The Mini Marathon felt like a monumental challenge because my prosthetic leg didn't bend when I walked so I knew I would have to do the entire 10km without bending my right leg while also aiming to move as fast as possible.

 I challenge anyone reading this today to spend the next 10 minutes walking around without bending your right knee or ankle. 

Try to walk up and down the stairs, try and pick something up off the floor. Try to run. Welcome to my world,” she laughs.

Keep going

Nikki spent the lead-up to the event training in the gym, spending lots of time on the treadmill with plenty of walks outdoors at home in Donegal. However, race day still presented huge challenges. “I began to suffer at the 7km mark. 

My hands began to sweat due to the heat which is not ideal when you require crutches to walk. My hands kept slipping off the crutch handles and the friction caused painful blisters.” 

However there were poignant moments that kept her going all the way to the finish line “I passed St. Vincent's Hospital during the race which was surreal. I had spent so many weeks and months inside that building during my treatment. 

To pass the building but not actually have to go in was a special moment.

 My sister, Mum and I cried happy tears.” 

Nikki’s advice to anyone facing challenges in their lives is to "Just. Keep. Going. It will make sense soon. I repeated this every single day for over a year and thankfully it did all make sense eventually."

Nikki is a nominee for Most Inspiring Athlete Award sponsored by Craghoppers at the Outsider Awards 2023 supported by Sport Ireland Outdoors