Beyond Boundaries - Season 1

Ten disabled teenagers attempt the journey of a lifetime. Starting in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador they attempt to cross the 300 kilometers separating them from the Pacific Ocean, climbing the mighty Andes Mountains in the process. Despite their disabilities they are determined to overcome any hurdles and prove something to themselves and the world. And all of them know the expedition will be a rites of passage experience, something that will change their lives forever. With the exception of Expedition Leader Ken Hames, none of them have been to Ecuador before, and as they fly to their rainforest start-point their first sight of the Andes is when the enormity of the expedition sinks in. Whether dealing with snakes and spiders, struggling to get the wheelchairs through the rainforest, or just pitching camp and cooking dinner, the challenges come thick and fast. And as they struggle through the foothills these young disabled people must develop trust with each other, find ways to overcome each other's disabilities and discover the inner strength needed to ascend through some of the most gruelling conditions known to man.

As the team ascends above 3000m the thin air takes its toll. Zu, one of the fittest members of the team, struggles with altitude sickness, and spirits crash as team members, too short of breathe to even talk, question their ability to continue. Will the dramatic scenery of the Andes and the warm reception of the Andean people give the team sufficient mental strength to face up to the relentless climb in freezing conditions? It is the crux of their expedition over the Andes, and not everyone will succeed.

The team has reached the Andean plateau, but many more challenges lie in wait. And for the youngest members of the team, Judith and Liam, this will be the most testing part of the expedition.

After nearly three weeks on the go, the final stretch awaits. Having crossed the Andes on crutches, amputee Sean is desperate to complete the journey on his prosthetic leg, even if it means risking injury and early evacuation. Julie, whose efforts to overcome her cerebral palsy and deafness have inspired the members of her team, faces her ultimate challenge as her reserves of strength begin to fail.