When John McFall first laid eyes on a job advertisement for aspiring astronauts, he felt a spark of excitement. He recalls, "To be honest, all I had in my head was: ‘It would be awesome to go to space.’" Little did he know that applying for this opportunity would mean breaking through barriers that have persisted for over six decades in space exploration.

Now, three years after discovering the posting from the European Space Agency, McFall is making history by positioning himself to become the world's first astronaut with a disability.

Following a tragic motorcycle accident that led to the loss of his right leg at the age of 19, the ambitious Briton didn't let this setback define him. Instead, McFall triumphed on the world stage as a Paralympic sprinter, clinching a bronze medal in Beijing. His journey continued as he earned his medical degree and became a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon.

Diving headfirst into the European Space Agency's grueling selection process, McFall successfully navigated six demanding stages, which included extensive psychomotor tests and panel interviews. In an exciting announcement in 2022, the agency confirmed his involvement in their pioneering project to study whether individuals with physical disabilities can live and work in the demanding environment of space.

Reflecting on this monumental step forward, McFall, now 43, shared, “It’s very exciting. A common response is ‘why hasn’t this been done sooner?’” While launching into space remains uncertain, the agency has been rigorously evaluating McFall’s capabilities for a proposed six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. “We have to provide data to demonstrate that it is possible,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of proving the viability of space travel for astronauts with disabilities.

Traditionally, space operations have been designed with able-bodied individuals in mind, so the agency is tasked with assessing various factors, including how McFall will maneuver and stabilize himself in microgravity, and how space conditions will affect his prosthesis. So far, the indications have been promising, fostering optimism that McFall or another astronaut with a similar disability could be part of a future mission. “I would hope that between 2027 and the end of this decade, we’ll see a European astronaut with a physical disability as part of the International Space Station crew,” he expressed with hope.

The implications of McFall’s work reach far beyond just his personal goals. His mission could pave the way for many individuals with disabilities—regardless of the nature of their disability—to pursue careers in the space industry and beyond. “We’re challenging the narrative surrounding physical disability,” he stated. “And doing that creates discussion and breaks down stigma.”

In the broader context of society, many people with disabilities confront deep-rooted discrimination and barriers, with EU data indicating higher unemployment rates and poverty among this demographic. McFall aims to reshape perceptions of what an astronaut—and indeed any professional—can look like. “By doing this, it’s an opportunity to create more opportunities for people with disabilities in various fields,” he noted.

As part of his advocacy, McFall has addressed terminology surrounding disabilities. While the term “parastronaut” is widely used, he has sought to challenge the narrative, explaining, “I’m not a para-surgeon; I’m a surgeon. I’m not a para-dad; I’m a dad.” He warns that unnecessarily labeling individuals can perpetuate a divide that hinders genuine understanding. “My job is to ensure that people have a well-rounded and informed definition of disability and what being disabled means.”

With his groundbreaking efforts, John McFall isn't just reaching for the stars; he's redefining what it means to fly high, proving that the possibilities for astronauts with disabilities are, quite literally, limitless.