Ray's Evanto Story.

At 43 years old Ray Lowrie, father to two grown sons and a proud resident of Honiton, Devon, has lived a life that challenges conventional ideas about strength, ability and what it means to never give up.

Ray's journey began with a distinguished 17-year career in the Marines, a period that saw him push his body and mind to their limits. While serving, Ray survived numerous close calls, but it was during an Arctic warfare training exercise in Norway that he sustained a complex leg fracture. After multiple surgeries and 6 years of rehabilitation, Ray reached a point where he made a brave decision: to amputate his leg. This was not a decision born from defeat, but out of a desire to regain control over his life.

Following his below knee amputation in June 2013, Ray channelled his energy into a new chapter of challenges. In 2014, he competed in the inaugural Invictus Games in London, where he won a gold medal and two silver medals in rowing. The event was a revelation, not just to the world, but to Ray himself. He proved that an amputation didn’t mean the end of his athletic pursuits. It marked the beginning of a new phase of resilience, determination and self-discovery.

Even as he stepped away from rowing with the British team in the lead-up to the Rio Paralympics, prioritising family commitments, he knew he was still young and capable of more. His next goal was to break every world record on the Concept 2 rowing machine—a challenge that would push him to new heights of physical achievement. Over the course of two years, Ray shattered 11 records, proving to the world that age and disability were no match for his drive. Upon turning 40, he didn’t rest on his laurels; he took on the challenge again in a new age category, continuing to defy expectations.

Following his retirement from the military Ray, and his wife have dedicated much of their time to raising money for charitable causes. “I think there are far too many disabled children who are being told that they can’t take part in school sports and I feel passionately that they should have the opportunity to try!” Ray commented, “I had read about LimbPower and how they help get amputees into sports so I got in touch to see if I could help at some of their events.” Ray and his wife volunteered at the LimbPower games and then at the Junior LimbPower games. This is where they heard about the expedition to the UNESCO heritage site of Machu Picchu. The 9-day trek, organised by LimbPower, would see the group a of amputees and their supporters, hiking up the towering mountains of Peru. “I remember seeing a picture of Machu Pichu in primary school and thinking "I want to go there!", so me and my wife decided to fundraise for the event,” said Ray.

His commitment to the journey began long before the trip; he trained rigorously in the Lake District, preparing for the physical challenge of the trek. But it wasn’t until he sought out a new prosthetic foot, the Evanto, that he found the mobility and balance he needed to truly excel on the hike. With the support of his prosthetist, he tested the foot with a demanding two-week trial, hiking across Dartmoor and cycling 20 kilometres. The new foot not only improved his stability and range of movement, but it made a significant difference on the steep climbs and rugged terrain of Machu Picchu.

Designed for mobility grades 2 to 4 (moderate to very active), the Evanto foot adapts to different terrains, using a mechanical coupling that provides both stability and flexibility, which enables the foot to adapt to varied surfaces and slopes more effectively. Walking up and down stairs feels more comfortable thanks to Evanto's heel cushioning which can store up to 50% more energy at heel strike compared to conventional mechanical carbon feet. This feature results in less fatigue allowing the user to cover longer distances.

“After my two week trial had finished and I had to hand the foot back I realised how uncomfortable my original foot was and how little range of movement I was getting from it,” remarked Ray. He applied for funding through the Veteran Prosthetics Panel (VPP) for the Evanto and 4 days before he left for Machu Pichu, he received his new foot.

 “I took three feet with me on the trip, but I ended up using the Evanto for the entire time,” Ray said. “Walking uphill was so natural, it took a lot of the effort out of going uphill, across flat terrain and also downhill. My range of movement with the ankle was amazing, even when I was stood on a slope my foot was still in full contact with the floor.” Ray and his wife completed the 9-day hike on schedule, “It was a pinch me moment - looking across that iconic view and realising that I had achieved that!”

Ray’s experience exemplifies the power of adaptive technology and the importance of finding the right tools to unlock one’s potential. His journey has been about more than just overcoming physical challenges—it’s about embracing new possibilities, demonstrating that with the right mindset and support, we can push past limitations.