How Access to Prosthetics Reveals Potential | Michael Stevens | TEDxPretoria

In this eye-opening talk Michael Stevens shares the stage with 14-year old Ntando Mahlangu, a silver Paralympics medalist who a couple of years ago was not able to walk. Ntando is from rural Mpumalanga and due to a birth defect is a double above knee amputee competing in the T42 class. He was the youngest member of the South African Paralympic team and is a silver medalist in the the 200m T42 class. He is also the world record holder in the 400m and 800m in the T42 class.


Michael Stevens has never allowed his disability to stand in the way of anything he has set out to achieve in life.
At the age of 12 Michael suffered third-degree burns which cover 70% of his body and had both legs amputated - one above the knee and one below. Mike does not like labels or titles, as they limit thinking. But if they must be used then he sees himself as a world-traveling, entrepreneurial agent of change. Mike knows from experience that with quality prosthetic equipment, amputee kids can do anything.


This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx