Inspirational Lisburn man features in new radio series

Starting on Sunday, February 5 at 1.30pm, each programme in the four part series, Lives In A Day, sees Natasha Sayee spend time with an inspirational figure who has overcome personal challenges to achieve great things.

Local adventurer Mark has overcome much adversity in his life, losing his sight at just 22. However, he faced possibly the biggest fight of his life when he broke his back in three places in a horrific fall whilst attending the Henley Royal Regatta on July 2 2010.

Mark, who hails from the Magheralave Road, will feature in the second programme in the series.

The local man was destined for sporting greatness from an early age despite losing the sight in one eye at five years old.

By the time he was 22 and completely blind, Mark had one of NI’s rowing stars at the Commonwealth Games and he then went on to complete marathons and Polar expeditions.

An accident two years ago has confined him to a wheelchair, and Natasha follows him as he devotes his energies to groundbreaking physiotherapy and finds out how he refuses to allow negativity to take hold.

Natasha said: “Everyone in Lives In A Day is a fighter and an inspiration.

“They’ve been through the stuff of nightmares, but with inner steel have managed to pick themselves up and keep going.

“I think the stories we hear have an underlying message to ‘not sweat the small stuff’ and, ultimately, they give a sense of hope.

“Making this series was a roller coaster of emotions, but it leaves you uplifted and with a new found respect for the human spirit.”

Lives In A Day can be heard on BBC Radio Ulster on Sunday, February 5 at 1.30pm. 92–95FM & DAB digital radio, digital TV and online at bbc.co.uk/radioulster