UEA graduate aims to become first complete spinal injury tetraplegic to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
By: UEA Alumni team
Max Levene broke his neck playing rugby aged 17 and was paralysed resulting in complete tetraplegia. Max went on to study BSc Business Economics and MSc Development Economics at UEA and has been working in the civil service since leaving university.
Max is still involved in rugby and is currently planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in September. He aims to raise lots of money for two charities, inspire fellow disabled people, and become the first complete spinal injury tetraplegic in a wheelchair to ascend to the top of the mountain.
Max talked to us about his upcoming climb and his experience with UEA.
Why have you set out to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
In September, I'm aiming to be the first spinal cord injury complete tetraplegic to ascend to the top of the mountain.
I broke my neck playing rugby for my school in Truro, in Cornwall, when I was 17. But, just before that, I was with my parents who were living out in Kenya, and I'd seen Kilimanjaro and set myself the goal of one day climbing the mountain. When I had my injury, I assumed that I’d never be able to do anything like that for the rest of my life.
However, last year, I was having a discussion with someone over some beer, and they said, "How about we give it a try?" Since COVID, my partner has been pushing me to do more. She asked, "Why don't you go for it?" and we decided, "Let's give it a crack."
We’re raising money for two really excellent charities - the Rugby Football Union Injured Players Foundation and the Inspire Foundation. The RFU Injured players foundations have supported me fantastically over the years and helped me do my masters at UEA by funding my accommodation. The Inspire foundation conduct spinal injury research and currently working on neurostimulation of the bladder to regain continence through electric stimulation.
I've now got eight people in my team – ex-school friends – and, excitingly, sponsors are coming on board. We’ve raised near £2000 so far, but we’re aiming for a minimum of about £20,000 before we go. You can read more about the fundraising campaign on our GoFundMe page, and I’d be really grateful for any support from the UEA community.
Max talks about his preparations for the climb on his YouTube channel.
How are the preparations going?
It looks like we’ll be able to get the equipment for the climb so that’s fantastic. Now we’d like to raise as much money for the charities as possible.
I did Mount Snowdon last year with some mates and that was a very different scale. It was only one day, but I did with the same people who will be going on the Kilimanjaro trip, and it make me think more would be achievable. I also do try and keep fit. I've got a personal trainer now and I’ve been working hard.
When I had my accident, I made a promise to my mum that I would never play wheelchair rugby, and I managed to hold that promise for about 8 years. My partner got fed up with me talking about how much I'd love to play and eventually told me to do it, or she’d be suffering for the rest of her life listening to me about it. I then played for about a year and a half before telling my mother (after she’d had a few glasses of wine). She’s forgiven me now. And the rugby is helping to keep me fit!
How did the rugby community support you after your injury?
Oh, the support was amazing and from all over the world. I had various shirts sent to me from lots of different teams. I had messages from professionals all over the world, and lots of people who were just into rugby. I’ve become friendly with some rugby communities simply because they'd got in touch at that point. Will Carling even got in touch to support me.
How did you decide where to study at university?
UEA hadn't really come on my radar to begin with because it's not somewhere that too many people from Cornwall end up. But I had a mate who went to UEA, and he suggested it might be good for me. I went out to visit and fell in love with the place. It instantly became my number one choice. It had good access to a disabled student, I loved the lake, and I just loved just the look of it all. It seemed like a nice mixture of urban and rural environment. I think I made a really good choice.
And then how did you find your time at UEA?
I absolutely loved it. tried to get involved as much as I could. I was the disability Union officer for a year, and I often got involved in Union council. We ran a society for disabilities as well. I stayed for my masters as well because I didn't really want to leave. The social life was really great, and I have many fond memories of the LCR.
And what was the plan for after you graduated?
I always wanted to do something centred on economics, but I didn't quite know what that would be. I think the period where you’ve just left university and you’re trying to find work is tough. I applied to lots of places but didn't really get anywhere. And then I had a chat with one of my lecturers and he said, "Have you thought about applying for the civil service and the fast stream?" So, I applied and for it and got onto the fast stream as an economist. I ended up at the Department for Work and Pensions and I’ve been there for almost 8 years.
I’ve done various interesting roles and I use economics all the time in facilitating policy, so my degree has been very worthwhile. Although it’s based in London, I’ve spent more and more time working from home and I’ve found that the civil service is an accommodating place to work if you’ve got extra needs.
You’ve been involved with disability organisations at UEA and later on in your fundraising. What drives you?
I want to spread awareness that people with disabilities – any disabilities - can achieve great things. Yes, people need additional support, and we should have that support, but, with it, we can go on to succeed. When I was first injured, I wondered if I would ever have goals and dreams again, but I started to look up to people like Sir Frank Williams, the F1 owner, who had a similar injury to me. I’m inspired by the Paralympics, and I think it’s really important to be able to see disabled people doing well I life.
At the same time, we should celebrate the everyday as well – for some people being able to get out of bed will be a fantastic achievement.
And you also have a YouTube channel centred on the disabled experience. Tell us about that.
It’s a small channel, but I don’t do it for views. It's more that if I meet someone who's newly injured, I can say “Hey, look at this. I've done skydiving, I've climbed Snowdon, I've driven a race car, I've done all sorts of things, and the options are out there. You don't have to feel like it's the end of your life. I'm working. I've got a partner.”
I love getting feedback. I did a video while on holiday in Greece on accessing Athens as a disabled person. I had comments saying how useful it was and how people could use the tips while travelling themselves. I particularly like receiving comments from newly disabled people who are looking for guidance.
Max studied BSc Business Economics and MSc Development Economics at UEA.