Andrew Stodel’s recent victory in the Cape Town Cycle Tour Disabled Athletes Division is a powerful reminder of the importance of setting goals. His story is one of remarkable resilience and determination in the face of life-altering adversity.
In February 2001, while training for the Argus Cycle Tour, Andrew’s bicycle struck a pothole, hurling him over a bridge into a dry riverbed. The accident left him paralysed from the sternum down.
Such a devastating injury would be life-altering for anyone. While many might see it as overwhelmingly negative, Andrew has transformed his misfortune into a journey of personal growth and achievement.
A long-time cycling enthusiast, he had completed the Argus seven times prior to the accident, with a goal of finishing in under three hours. After a period of rehabilitation, he felt he had “unfinished business” with the race. Discovering that the sport was accessible to people with disabilities, he took up hand cycling. Since then, he has completed the Cape Town Cycle Tour 14 times using his arms.
In addition to his recent success in the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Andrew achieved a 6th place in the New York Marathon a few years ago, competing against almost 700 disabled athletes from all over the world.
Hand cycling involves lying flat with the body stretched out and using the arms to propel the cycle. There are various categories in the sport; the categorisation is based on an athlete’s level of disability. It’s a challenging sport that few take up.
Being so close to the ground, hand cyclists like Andrew face significant risks on the road. “I’ve been run over by a car on seven occasions,” he says. “But I’d rather die on the bike than with a TV remote in my hand.”
Andrew speaks candidly about the emotional and psychological challenges of living with a disability. “Coming to terms with paralysis is incredibly daunting for most people,” he says. “Research indicates that the suicide rate among people in wheelchairs is five times higher than in the general population.”
What helped Andrew endure was a strong will to keep going – and the setting of clear, achievable goals. “Goals must be incremental so they’re realistic and attainable,” he explains.
One of his earliest goals was simply learning how to transfer himself from his wheelchair onto the bike. Then, he began setting more ambitious targets. From managing just 2km initially, he now cycles around 300km a week, and is well on his way to completing the equivalent of a fourth lap of the planet.
Today, Andrew’s journey inspires others. He is frequently called upon by doctors to counsel newly paralysed patients, helping them navigate the emotional landscape of disability and begin planning for the future. He explains, “I have no problem discussing any of the taboo issues that many folk shy away from so I’m often called in to do peer counselling.”
Andrew Stodel is a testament to the power of perseverance, purpose, and hope. His story is not just about winning races, but about reclaiming life and helping others do the same. ●
“Being in a wheelchair isn’t necessarily the most difficult part,” Andrew says, joking that walking is overrated. “It’s the unseen issues that are usually the most difficult. Paralysis may involve dealing with things like pain management and incontinence issues. And, having no abdominal function means that one cannot cough or sneeze, and that balance becomes a challenge.”
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