A patient treated for bone sarcoma at the London Sarcoma Service has turned his diagnosis into a positive and is aiming to compete in the Paralympic Games in 2016.

Aaron Maddox was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in March 2011 at the age of 13. He underwent chemotherapy for 10 months at UCLH followed by surgery at RNOH to remove the malignant bone from is arm and replace it with a titanium prosthesis.  An additional 6 months of chemotherapy completed his intensive treatment. Now aged 17 he is looking to the future:

“Before the diagnosis I was a keen able-bodied swimmer. When my PICC line was removed I then returned to the pool, but I was unable to use my right arm in any stroke as we knew it would not elevate or extend after the operation. 

I persevered in the water and in time I learnt to swim in a straight line with one arm. I was attending my first regional event when I was approached by an ambassador of disability swimming. From there on I became stronger and stronger, swimming with an able bodied club, Ealing swimming club. I was also invited to join the London disability swimming squad. 

I received classification from British swimming in June 2013 and attended my first ever nationals in November 2013, receiving a silver medal for 100m individual medley. I continue to compete and attended my first international meet in Glasgow in April this year. 

Although the diagnosis has left me disabled I have turned it into a positive and continue to follow my passion of swimming”

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