Paralyzed man sets new world record after climbing over 1,000 steps

A father of three paralyzed children has set a Guinness World Record for climbing an exoskeleton to the top of one of the tallest buildings in the UK.

Simon Kindleysides, 37, from Norwich, was unable to walk on his own after being diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder (FND) and benign glioma brain tumor in 2013.

The tumor is still growing and affecting hearing, balance and coordination on the left side of the body.

In his world-record achievement in March, he climbed 1,444 steps in one of London’s tallest buildings, the Leadenhall Building, also known as the Cheese Grater.

Simon holds the Guinness World Record for 8 hours for a man to walk most stairs with a robotic device.

Simon Kindleysides, 37, from Norwich, was unable to walk on his own after being diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder (FND) and the benign brain tumor glioma in 2013. Pictured, Simon, before his diagnosis (right) and after climbing Cheesegrater (left)

In March’s world-record achievement, he climbed 1,444 steps in one of London’s tallest buildings, the Leadenhall Building, also known as the Cheese Grater.

Pictured in 2021, Simon uses a wheelchair and exoskeleton kit. The suit is the suit he uses for challenges, climbing stairs and going out.

The exoskeleton suit provides powerful hip and knee movements so that people with spinal cord injuries can stand, walk, turn their backs, and go up and down stairs.

It took a little over six hours for Mr Kindleysides to get from the basement to the 51st floor of the building and was supported by a group of friends and the CC Land owners of the building.

She completed the fundraising success for The Brain Tumor Charity and TeiganSmile, a campaign that supports the ongoing care of children with cerebral palsy.

The father of three used a wheelchair only until 2015, which shows him taking his first timid steps donning the ‘Rex’ robotic suit, in moving images taken at the PhysioFunction center in Northamptonshire, England.

Then, in 2017, he found the ReWalk suit that allowed him to go up and down the stairs.

And since then, he’s surmounted challenges, first with clothes on loan, and then with the £100,000 Re-Walk exoskeleton suit he received in 2019 from an anonymous donor.

Mr Kindleysides, who also struggles with mental health issues, including depression, hopes this challenge will show others what is possible with a positive attitude and determination.

It took a little over six hours for Mr Kindleysides to get from the basement to the building’s 51st floor and was assisted by a team of friends (pictured) and the building’s owner, CC Land.

“Running a marathon showed me I could manage distance, so I wanted to conquer a climb for my next challenge. I searched all of the tallest skyscrapers in London and it was Cheesegrater who called me back – I couldn’t have asked for a better place.

Adam Goldin, Head of CC Land UK, said: “It is an honor that Simon chose to scale the Leadenhall Building. Giving back is an important part of our philosophy and we support charitable initiatives wherever possible.

“We are delighted to be a part of Simon’s world record effort and wish him success in the future.”

Mr Kindleysides, who also struggles with mental health issues including depression, hopes his struggle will show others what is possible with a positive attitude and determination.

This is not the first challenge Mr Kindleysides has faced.

The 37-year-old father of Anya (17), Corin (10) and Lyra (4) ran 125 miles in February 2021 and raised over £12,000.

This was donated to Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity for the pediatric operating room and intensive care unit.

Also in 2021, a documentary titled “No Limits – Robotic Man” was released about the life of Mr Kindleysides.

Simon walked from Blofield to Brundal in Norfolk using a ReWalk exoskeleton in 2021

And in 2018, Mr Kindleysides set another world record by completing the London Marathon in 36 hours 46 minutes, becoming the fastest man to run 26.2 miles wearing a robot suit.

In October of this year, he will compete again at the London Marathon to beat his time.

Donate to Mr Kindleysides’ The Brain Tumor Charity and TeiganSmiles fundraiser here †