Dave Henson: From British Army Captain to Para Athlete — His Thoughts on How the Genium X4 Transforms Lives
by Rebecca Legon
Dave Henson’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. A former Captain in the British Army and a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), Dave lost both legs in 2011 after stepping on an IED while serving in Afghanistan. During his rehabilitation at Headley Court, he discovered a passion for athletics. He quickly built a strong reputation in track and field, competing in the inaugural Invictus Games, two World Championships, the European Championships, and the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
After retiring from athletics in 2018, following the birth of his second child, Dave shifted his focus to family life and the next phase of his rehabilitation journey—his career. He earned a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Biomechanics focusing on amputee movement and prosthetics research and development; he is passionate about improving prosthetic solutions and understanding the long-term health impacts for those injured in combat. Now, Dave works with his brother in the Defense Industry while continuing his impactful research and development in the prosthetics field.
I had the pleasure of catching up with Dave at the UK Genium X4 launch event at Cosford RAF Museum, where he shared how the Genium X4 has notably enhanced his quality of life and why he believes this model truly empowers you to live your best life.
How has the Genium X4 improved your day-to-day life?
“I’ve been using the X4 for about three and a half months now, and I’ve got to say, I’m really impressed. I love it. The swing-through is much smoother compared to the X3, with the knee’s ability to release when you swing your leg through, making walking feel faster and more effortless. It’s fantastic because it means I’m expending less energy on daily activities, which is crucial for keeping up with my busy work schedule and my three energetic girls. The intuitive stance function is brilliant, too. When I lean against something or stand on a slope, it activates so quickly that I don’t even have to think about it. Plus, the slope-optimized descent control is a game-changer that helps you incline slopes; this works because it pulls the contact point closer to the centre of your mass, which makes a huge difference whether I’m playing in the garden with my kids or tackling uneven terrain.”
The Genium X4 campaign shows you on the beach with one of your daughters; beaches can be challenging for amputees. How does the X4 handle sand and pebbles? “Beaches are always a challenge—sand is never easy—but the X4 makes it more manageable. Pebbly beaches are much easier to navigate now. What I love about the Genium X4 is that it adapts both to you intuitively and to different terrains simultaneously. Even if the ground is tricky and uneven, I feel supported and stable. I can confidently carry my kids, knowing the X4 will handle it, and the legs are safe. That’s a big win for me.”
Do you feel safer using the Genium X4? “I definitely feel more confident now with the Genium X4; the X3 model was also incredibly safe, but the X4 gives me the confidence to push my limits. I’m doing more sports, especially off-road hiking and exploring more adventurous locations and trickier terrains. So, in a way, I suppose I am safer because my confidence has grown. I trust the X4, and it’s given me the extra push to confidently do the things I love.
Do you have any funny stories about your prostheses? “Oh, definitely! My kids used to hide tools in my prosthetic legs, which always made me laugh. The cutest thing was watching my two oldest girls trying to ‘charge’ their legs like mine—that was cool. As for me, I’ve had some of the normal tragedies. I’ve gone running and had one of my legs fly off, leaving me in a heap on the floor. I’ve had plenty of injuries, but I always bounce back. However, that bounce-back takes longer as I get older, so I’m more careful these days, haha!”
It was great to meet and speak to Dave and learn how the Genium X4 has positively impacted his life, allowing him to continue pushing boundaries and cherishing moments with his family. Dave is part of the Genium X4 Campaign. Watch it here:
We’d love to hear from you! Share your experiences—whether you’ve transitioned from the X3 to the X4 or are considering the upgrade. What new or improved features are making the biggest difference in your life? Drop a comment below and join the conversation. Your insights could inspire others and help us understand how these advancements change lives!