It’s a huge objective, but anyone who knows him knows his disability is no handicap.
Australia’s Spartan Race courses are considered the toughest, most competitive obstacle series in the world. The added challenge of competing in a wheelchair raises them to another level. Lenny, however, has an advantage: mental endurance is his superpower, and life events have equipped him with indomitable resilience.
Lenny says his greatest setback was not becoming a paraplegic; it was trying ice when he was 19 and becoming addicted. Gradually the drug took its toll on his work and relationships until, when he was in his late 20s, his veteran father encouraged him to join the army.
As a student, Lenny had been a talented athlete, winning a Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship for soccer, and he’d thrived on the camaraderie of club sport and being part of a team. In the army he rediscovered the bonds of mateship and the natural stimulation of physical fitness. His rescue ops division was deployed to assist with flooding in Bundaberg and after super typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in 2013. Years earlier he’d been destroying his life; now he was helping others rebuild theirs.
Recurring back pain cut Lenny’s army career short, however, and when he returned to his hometown of Strathmore in 2016 he relapsed into drug addiction, telling himself it was a way of coping with the pain. He eventually sought treatment from a Chinese health practitioner, who recommended an ultrasound, and a tumour was discovered on his spine.
Lenny underwent surgery that year and woke to learn he had spinal cord damage and would never walk again. Rather than plunging into despair, Lenny’s spirits were buoyed during rehabilitation thanks to the support of several inspirational mentors. He especially credits 2018 Invictus Games team captain Matt Brumby for helping him realise the opportunities available through sport. Lenny has been clean ever since, and fitness is his new addiction.
Perhaps the strongest motivation to stay clean occurred during COVID lockdowns when, through mutual friends, Lenny connected with Alishia on Facetime and over the phone. When they eventually met in person, their friendship bloomed into romance and they’re now engaged.
Passion and patience paid off in other aspects of his life too. After dedicated training, Lenny competed in the 2023 Invictus Games in Germany, winning gold in hand-cycling and bronze in rowing and rugby. Testament to his regard in the paraplegic community, he was chosen as the Australian team’s flagbearer.
Calling himself The Smiling Cripple, Lenny is the proud father of a 16-month-old son, Attilio, and works as community network coordinator for the Australian Quadriplegic Association. The icing on the cake would be to compete in all Spartan Races in Australia this year – the next is Ivory’s Rock in Queensland from May 24-25.
Lenny’s goal has triggered an enthusiastic response: Spartan has sponsored his team free tickets for the series; Lululemon has provided branded uniforms for the squad; and Mornington Peninsula Magazine has contributed to the group’s travel costs.
You can follow Lenny’s adventures on Instagram @The Smiling Cripple and support his quest by searching ‘Lenny Redrose’ at www.gofundme.com
