Dubai: He lost an arm and a leg at the age of 13 to a freak incident while playing with his friends in rain, but what remained of his limbs was enough for Jaseik Mela conquer the North Pole at the age of 15.
And eight months later, a day after his 16th birthday, Mela reached the South Pole with a team of explorers led by Polish legend Marek Kaminski. That was in 2004.
Since then, the 29-year-old has explored every corner of the world, redefining the meaning of possibilities with every step he takes on his prosthetic leg.
Mela’s story turned a new page when he suffered electric shock as he took shelter from rain in an electrical room at his hometown Malbork, Poland.
“I was playing outside with my friends and it started raining, we decided to take shelter in a room nearby, we didn’t know it was an electrical room. I was drenched in rain and when I got inside I got a massive electric shock. My left leg and right forearm were badly damaged and had to be amputated,” said Mela, who was 13 at the time of the accident.
In the city to be part of the Dubai Travellers Festival that began on Wednesday at Mushrif Park, Mela spoke to Gulf News on what inspired him and what keeps him going.
“At the age of 15, when I was still coming to terms with what had happened with me, I was lucky to meet the legendary Polish explorer, Kaminski, and thus began my journey around the world. He took me on his expeditions to the North and South Poles and these expeditions gave me the idea that nothing has changed and I could still realise my dreams with what I have,” said Mela, who has now walked thousands of kilometres with his prosthetic limb.
When adversity struck Mela, his first dream was to feel and do things like other people and when he took the first few steps, he realised he could do more than what other people do.
But he says he never imagined achieving what he has accomplished in the last 15 years on the road.
“I can do sports, I can climb mountains, I have run marathons and taken part in triathlons. I have seen almost all the major landmarks of the world, natural and man-made, most of it on foot. Now, my aim is to inspire others, that is why I have set up a foundation that supports people who have suffered life-changing accidents like me, to help them get back on feet and pursue their dreams,” said Mela, who has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Russia and many other peaks.
Mela’s foundation now organises expeditions for people of determination to explore the world and push the horizon of possibilities like he did with his courage and determination.
And he says every time he returns from an expedition, he comes back richer, realising again and again the gifts that he has, while there are so many people out there who are not as fortunate.
“This is the realisation that makes me content and happy. It inspires me to do more and motivate others to do more,” said Mela, who also works as a professional motivational speaker.
What is Travellers’ Festival
Travellers’ Festival is a gathering of world’s leading explorers that is being held for the sixth year in a row at Mushrif Park, Dubai.
More than 100 travellers have shared the stories of their explorations over the last five editions, and this year 33 explorers will share their experience of discoveries, thrill and adventures over the next four days through interactive presentations and photo exhibitions.
Among the explorers the festival will feature is the first team of Arabs to scale Mount Everest, including Shaikh Diab Al Nahyan, as well as Vladislav Ketov, the man who travelled for 21 years cycling solo around the world.
Ricky De Agrela and Alan Honeyborne, the duo who covered 64,000km to do the largest expedition on a microlight aircraft, will also share their stories of adrenaline and adventure.
The four-day festival, which is open for public, will also expose the visitors to local heritage and culture.
