A DOUBLE LEG AMPUTEE COMPETES IN THE LONDON SUMMER OLYMPICS............

Oscar Pistorius, a 25 year old South African man born with both legs less than fully developed, each leg lacking a fibula; who had them amputated at eleven months of age, has been competing as an international sprint runner for the past five years.  As a student at Pretoria High School from age 11 - 13, he played rugby, water pool, and tennis; advancing to playing rugby at the Johannesburg, Gauteng Province level, as well as competing in Olympic club wrestling.  That changed in 2003, when he a serious rugby injury forced him into rehabilitation, and he began running as a part of his rehab exercises.  Oscar Carl Leonard Pistorius, is now known as the, "Blade Runner", and, "Fastest Man With No Legs", thanks to his running skill, and the Cheetah Flex Foot carbon fibre transfibial artificial limbs, that he wears.  Pistorius has run successfully in international competitions since 2007, but not without controversy over the technological advancement of his prosthetic blade running legs.  Having mastered the running in 100, 200, and 400 meters competitions between 2004 and 2007, in South Africa and at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens,  the International Athletic Federation ruled him ineligible to participate in the 2008 Beiing Olympics, citing his unfair advantage with his advanced prostheses.  Oscar appealed their decision and prevailed, so that he was able to  try out for South Africa's 2008 Beiing Olympics Team, but was not selected.  However, he continued to succeed in other international running competitions gaining acceptance for the prosthetic technology  as he did so.  Chosen for this year's South African Olympic Track Team, he won his way into the 400 meter sprint semifinals, as it was expected he would, but that was as far as he got, finishing eighth and in last place in the semifinal race.  But in Oscar Pistorius' Olympic competitiveness what would be called by some, "the agony of defeat", is actually a victory in breaking down barriers.  Oscar learned, trained, overcame obstacles and naysayers, persevering to become the first amputee to compete in the Olympics, and not yet 26, has time to succeed as a world class runner with the opportunity to sprint to future victories.  As a right foot below the knee amputee, I admire and am energized to witness the resounding achievements of this young man who is showing the world that disability is not inability; and how opportunity is empowerment.  Oscar Pistorius says it best.  The motto he proclaims as his mantra to athletic achievement is, "You're not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have".  How true Oscar's motto is for all of us in the disability community and how enlightening these words can be in motivating others to enable rather than obstruct; to empower  instead of exclude; those of us who despite the inordinate challenges our bodies bear, choose to strive and excel in every field of human endeavor............Fr.  Troy