The team at ABR recently learned about the Antonio V. Glassberg Educational Foundation when Antonio’s Foundation referred Ryan Wolak, one if its scholarship recipients, to ABR. Ryan then applied to ABR and was soon the recipient of a free blade running leg enabling him to be active beyond his best expectations.

While Ryan was in Nashville, he told ABR more about Antonio’s Foundation and the scholarships it provides for physically challenged K-12 students to attend private school. But the story didn’t end there. In 2015 ABR had provided a young high school student from Louisiana named Alex Klein with a blade running leg. Since connecting with ABR, Alex’s confidence and talent blossomed to the point where he recently learned he has been invited to compete in Switzerland as part of the IPC Junior World Championships in August 2017. When ABR learned about Antonio’s Foundation they referred Alex to Antonio’s Foundation. Alex applied for a tuition grant and Antonio’s Foundation awarded him a scholarship to support his tuition at Jesuit High School in New Orleans.

Antonio V. Glassberg created and provided initial funding for his foundation shortly before he died of cancer in 2001 when he was 23 years old. Antonio saw the potential in bright young students and was compelled to leave a legacy of action to help them capitalize on their abilities despite their physical and financial limitations. Today Antonio’s Foundation continues to carry on his legacy by providing tuition scholarship grants for physically challenged students to attend K-12 private schools throughout the USA. To learn more about how Antonio’s Foundation serves a similar community as does ABR, please check out their website at www.antonioglassbergfoundation.org or contact their leadership at antoniosfoundation@gmail.com.

The post ABR Collaborates with Antonio v. Glassberg Educational Foundation to Help Limb-Loss Students appeared first on Amputee Blade Runners.

Today Ryan has lightning speed in his new custom Blues Hockey blade leg. We first met Ryan back in February, we knew then how special he was.

“I say if I can do it you can probably do it,” he said with a smile.

Despite Ryan’s prosthetic, he does just about everything. But the prosthetic he used to have slowed him down and he couldn’t run as fast as he wanted to do. With his new blade leg, nothing slows him down. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. To learn more about Ryan’s story click here:

http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/local-boy-reaches-new-heights-with-custom-blade-leg/445096502

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Artis Thompson is used to thinking big.  As a standout athlete since high school, he is used to tackling big obstacles and coming out on top.  Working as a personal trainer he is used to pushing himself and his clients to make them better so it was no surprise to those who know him that he decided last year to apply for the wildly popular NBC show American Ninja Warrior (ANW).

The show matches individual competitors against increasingly challenging obstacles that test strength, balance, and endurance as they race against the clock in front of a live television audience.  The course is so difficult that prior to last season, no American had ever completed the now legendary finals course called Mt. Midoriyama in Las Vegas.

As a semi-professional football player, personal trainer, and former competitive kickboxer, Thompson certainly had the diverse athletic prowess that is needed for success on the course but he also had a unique obstacle of his own – his left leg.

Thompson lost his left leg below the knee in a 2012 motorcycle accident.  But rather than let it limit him, Thompson has continue to push himself to achieve more and show other amputees what is possible.  He walked out of the hospital only three months after his surgery and was playing professional football again only seven months post-amputation.

Last year as a rookie on the show, Thompson felt good about his chance to complete the city qualifying course in Houston.  He successfully conquered the first two obstacles to tremendous applause from the crowd before losing his footing and falling off a balance obstacle known as the spinning log.

After his inspiring run on national TV, Thompson received lots of well-wishes from across America but a non-profit charity based in Nashville, TN reached out with a different message of hope.

Thompson received a tweet from one of the board members asking him to connect and promised that they could equip him with a more advanced prosthetic limb that would improve his speed and balance.  Amputee Blade Runners (ABR) was created in 2011, to help amputees return to an active lifestyle by raising money and fitting amputees with custom designed limbs that fit their particular athletic interests.

Blade running technology has advanced significantly over the past 5 years but the equipment is expensive and insurance will not cover the cost deeming such items as “not medically necessary”.  A single blade leg normally costs between $10,000 to $15,000 – out of reach for most individuals.

Amputee Blade Runners makes this technology available free-of-charge to applicants who demonstrate their commitment to staying active and inspiring others.  Since 2011, they have helped over 76 amputees from across the country and have a goal to have one athlete-ambassador in all 50 states by the end of 2016.

Thompson visited Nashville a few short months after the show aired and was fitted by local prosthetist Aaron Fitzsimmons who founded the charity in 2011.   He immediately saw an improvement in his speed and agility and is more motivated than ever to show the world what he can do in his second season on ANW.

As a personal trainer, Thompson has become active in working with other active amputees.  In 2015, he coach and ran beside Rebekah Gregory a survivor of the 2013 Boston marathon bombing to help her complete the race.  Now he hopes to be the first amputee to scale the fabled warped wall on American Ninja Warrior.

Thompson’s second run on American Ninja Warrior will air live on NBC this Monday June 20, 2016.

The post Amputee Looking to Tackle the Warped Wall in second Season on ANW appeared first on Amputee Blade Runners.

http://www.newschannel5.com/news/franklin-double-amputee-runs-boston-marathon

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Dear Amputee Blade Runners,

ABR has given me a gift that permeates my life on a much greater level than a typical tangible item could. A gift that enhanced me during the qualification process and a gift that gives during the effort to pay it forward. It is a gift that upon reflection of its value inspires me to creatively and enthusiastically discover ways to demonstrate gratitude.
For nearly a decade and a half I have made goals with the acceptance that I would be achieving despite my amputation. Many of those aspirations led to the degradation of my body and the destruction of my equipment. In other words my resolutions exceeded the capabilities of my prosthetics. For example Endeavor games had always been on my radar but the only thoughts I could muster were regarding the struggle of limping through airports and the necessary recovery time following such a quest. After my trip to Nashville, I am now experiencing the reciprocal of that equation. Instead of being limited by my capacity to endure suffering my range has been instantly extended to an unknown distance restricted only by my physical endurance.
A gift that changes how a person dreams, what a person strives for, what a person can be, seems too good to be true. It is true however, and even more precious than it sounds. It took me many years to find this truth and experience this freedom. What humbles me and determines me to do actively participate in ABR’s mission is the circumstances that lead to our union.  I was recognized by my community for being determined to help others while asking for none, even in times of anguish. I gave until my body and prosthetic gave up, and when I finally submitted to my circumstances and sought help the answers were bleak. Miraculously I was pulled from this bleakness by a fundraiser and an outpouring of love. Money was raised to buy me a new prosthetic and with it I returned to the world, first with the goal of returning to normalcy then to grow beyond the person I was.

During this process Trey from ABR reached out to me. At first I did not believe that ABR’s claims were true much like a pop-up offering a free gift card. Upon, the realization that it may be true, meeting the qualifications became a positive direction in which to focus my energy. The pursuit of a running blade helped me lose close to 50 pounds, make new motivated friends, and gave me a reason to persevere. So why would a story with such a happy conclusion invoke any emotion other than pure joy?

I am troubled because I can’t dismiss the certainty that others are suffering, others who did not have the tremendous fortune that was bestowed upon me. I had support, and I was blessed with a nature and background that lends itself to persistence, and yet I nearly capitulated and resigned myself to an immobile life. I fear that others are accepting the answers they are getting and are quitting. I include this thought to establish that ABR has effectively educated me on the magnitude of the challenge.

With sincerity I hope that through the written word I have expressed how grateful I am. It is incredible ABR’s ability to accelerate a person’s evolution into a better life. This letter was filled with the words I and me, yet, actually the message is about a multitude of others who this partnership will positively impact. The goals I intend to meet will be accomplished with the purpose of stimulating similar desire in others. The strength I have gained in a newly reignited prime will used to carry those in need.

Thank you ABR team, I miss you already, I devotedly offer my determination to accomplish any request you make of me without reluctance.

Warmly,
An invigorated Ryan Wallace

The post Ryan Wallace Thank You Letter appeared first on Amputee Blade Runners.

From Alex’s Mom, Denise Klein, after our team was able to fit Alex for his 1st running leg in August of 2015 –

“Last year at this time, he never would have dreamed of trying out for any athletic organization at his school, even in an intramural capacity. Our community has an extremely competitive and rivalrous high school team environment.

Since receiving your grant of a running leg, Alex has had the confidence to join the track and field team at Jesuit High School. He is one of the few athletes who participates in both throwing events and sprints. He was chosen today to run the 100 and 200 meter sprints and to throw the discus and javelin….

Alex performed very respectably today among his peers and reached a few personal bests. He is so proud to be able to represent his school in this capacity.

As a parent, I want to tell you how much I appreciate your gift to Alex. Your gift to him is more than the sum of the dollars and materials and time and thought that go into creating his prosthetic leg. It is so much more than that. It is a gift of confidence and ability and hope….

Alex has become the true athlete that he always hoped to be. And I have become the parent of a happy and confident varsity athlete.

Thank you, and thanks to all who donate their time, money, and energy to this cause!”

Denise Klein

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18

Number of new Team Members with Running/Sports Legs

12 

Number of States represented by our New ABR Team Members

32

Number of Total States represented by ALL ABR Team Members

30

Number of current ABR Team Members we helped in 2015

50

Number of Feet fitted in 2015, for all ABR Team Members

75 

Number of Custom Sockets made for all ABR Team Members

1200

Number of Volunteer Hours donated by our ABR Team

4 

Number of individuals that chose to run a race for ABR

1

Number ABR Team Members that won a Gold Medal in the ParaPan Games

41 

Number of Medals ABR Team Members Won at the Endeavor Games

125

Number of people that attend the Annual ABR Family Picnic

75

Number of people that competed in our Blades & Bikes Duathlon

400

Number of people that participated in our Run Your City Campaign

3

Number of ABR Team Members that have started their own 5K’s

87,000

Number of Dollars ABR raised in 2015

91,000 

Number of Dollars ABR spent in 2015

0

Number of Dollars it cost our ABR Team Members

Click Here to Host a Run for the 2016 Run Your City Campaign

The post 2015: A Look Back by the Numbers appeared first on Amputee Blade Runners.

The Northampton High senior sprinter, who is a double amputee, ran the 100-meter dash in 14.8 seconds for a personal record in a home meet against Longmeadow on Monday. And while he didn’t win, he also didn’t come in last in a race against able-bodied runners.

“That felt awesome. I haven’t beaten people in a while,” said Cronin, who competes on specially made running blades. “It’s fun racing people every meet. Even though sometimes I don’t beat people, I’m improving and I can see that. Now I’m actually starting to beat people and I’m having a lot of fun.”

In just the last year, Cronin has dropped his 100 personal record by over 5 seconds after Monday’s result. The same day, he also high jumped a career-best 4 feet even, up 3 inches from his previous best.

Cronin, 18, lost his lower legs and seven fingers to bacterial meningitis and sepsis at 2 years old. It was a touch-and-go fight that he won.

“They kept him in a coma for nine days,”said Hillary Cronin, his mother. “Every day was a battle of whether he was going to live or not. He turned the corner and made it through, but they had to amputate the extremities of his legs and hands because the heparin, the medicine that made the water go away from his organs to save his life, pushed (the water) to the extremities.”

While the five-year plan of many high school seniors includes graduating from college, Cronin’s also includes the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Selection for the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field team won’t happen until early 2020. While he works toward that dream, he plans to study mechanical engineering at a local community college and ideally transfer to UMass later.

“It’s a huge goal, but I think if I work hard for five years, that’s a lot of time,” he said. “I have a lot of work to do (on the track). My time is going to have to drop a lot. I’ve noticed each year that I make significant differences. … If I keep working for five years, I don’t think that’s an unreasonable goal.”

Cronin looks up to U.S. Paralympian Jerome Singleton, who is a single amputee sprinter and embodies a similar work ethic.

“What I like about him is he is very modest,” Cronin said. “He puts in a lot of work. He stays a balanced athlete and he focuses a lot on his school work while still working hard and helping others achieve their goals as well.”

Second steps

Cronin started wearing his first pair of prosthetic legs at age 3, but this is his first full season competing on the blades.

Previously, Cronin had played sports, including track, on his regular prosthetics with varied results. Because his walking legs were not made for running, the fit wasn’t perfect and they created blisters and abrasions.

“It would set him back like three days because he’d have to let them heal,” Hillary Cronin said. “Now he doesn’t have these abrasions from the sweat and the wear and tear. He can challenge himself. He can feel successful.”

Instead of letting the pain detour him away from the sport, he looked for a way to adapt, like he’s done his whole life.

“He doesn’t get defeated easily,” Hillary Cronin said. “He had to learn to adapt to so many things. He has three fingers, really, essentially, so the things he’s learned to do with three fingers — he would play baseball, no adaptations. You didn’t really think about it. He just did it. It’s really inspiring.”

The Cronin’s insurance company rejected their claim for the running prosthetics which cost roughly $30,000 each. Hillary Cronin said that is a common problem for amputees because running blades aren’t seen as a necessity for everyday life.

Troy Cronin received his blades through Amputee Blade Runners, a nonprofit based in Nashville, Tennessee, that is seeking to help an amputee from each state acquire running prostheses. He was accepted for a grant during the 2013-14 indoor track season and also became theMassachusetts ambassador for the program. Cronin’s duties include fundraising and special appearances, but what he has liked most is spreading awareness.

“Being an ambassador allows me to reach out to people,” he said. “Anyone can run track, as long as they put in the work. That’s my favorite part of it. … People with prosthetic legs think they can’t do things like run and stuff. It is harder and there is pain, but with the right support and if you put in enough energy, anything is possible.”

As much as he wants to be a role model for fellow amputees, Cronin’s Blue Devil track team members and coaches see him as an inspiration.

“He’s definitely one of the most focused athletes I’ve met,” said senior Charlie Baranowski, a teammate and friend since elementary school. “He just wants to be better so much. That’s what he wants. It’s just really inspiring, because he’s the one that has the most disadvantages and he’s out there working his hardest every day. It really helps the team think like, ‘Well, if Troy is out there doing his stuff and it’s 90 degrees and humid out, then we can do it too.’”

Not only has the team been supportive of him, but so has the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athlete Association and the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association, as Cronin is competing at the state level for the first time this season.

In dual meets, such as Monday’s at the high school, he runs in the slower heat of the 100. But last Saturday, at the MSTCA Invitational in New Bedford, race director Jim Kelley gave Northampton boys coach Angus Fisher the option of Cronin running the regular 100 or in his own mobility-impaired division. Cronin chose to run by himself in the mobility-impaired race.

Kelley said this was the second year the option was offered, not just to Cronin but to anyone else with a disability. However, it was the first time a racer chose that option.

“Everybody got into it,” Kelley said. “They were happy to see him run, the whole place was clapping.”

“He loves the stage,” Fisher added. “I’ve never been more emotional in my life. The kid was so pumped. I told the guys, ‘Crowd up at the finish line, give this kid the stage, he needs it, he deserves it.’ Then when I heard every single person cheering for him as loud as they could, it was crazy. … I loved it — to see him beaming all day. He was like a celebrity. It was awesome.”

Cronin saw Saturday’s solo race, in which he ran a 16.05, as a chance to show what amputee high school runners an accomplish, but he still remains hungry for competition.

“Running on my own was cool because I got to set an example,” he said. “In the future, I look forward to having other runners in the mobility-impaired (division), that would make that better. … Right now I would say, being in the heats with other friends is better.”

Learned in Nashville

Cronin and his dad Mark, brother Zack and sister Carleigh traveled to Nashville in February 2014 to have his blades made and fitted, and there he also was taught how to use them. A work conflict prevented Hillary Cronin from making the trip.

Back at home, Troy Cronin had worked with Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield with his previous prosthetics, and he can go there to make adjustments and fixes to his blades as needed.

Fisher has seen a dramatic improvement in Cronin on the track since he started working with the blades a year ago.

“The kid is making history and he doesn’t even know it,” Fisher said. “He’s come into his own running with them. … He’s gotten much more mature and he’s realized he can run really fast.”

In order to get faster, Fisher and Northampton girls track coach Brandon Palmer, who specializes in sprints, have been working with Cronin on his form. Cronin said while he knows there is still a lot of room for improvement, he sees the adjustments from practice working in meets.

“Normally on my start, I’m a little wobbly and I have a little delayed start because I’m just off,” said Cronin, who doesn’t use starting blocks Monday, “I really focused on … staying still and putting all my pressure on my forward leg so I can push off for the start.”

Fisher said they are also working on how he drives his legs while running.

“His hip flexors are (limited) so he can only drive his knees a quarter of the way,” Fisher said. “We’re really working on trying to get (his knees) up by doing ladder and agility drills. Don’t get me wrong, he’s coming along, but it’s not 100 percent there yet.”

As the high school postseason approaches, Cronin said he would like to see his 100 time drop to 14.5, while running the 200 in 32 seconds and pushing his 400 time down to 72 seconds from Monday’s 74.5.

The mobility-impaired division also will be offered at the MIAA postseason meets. Cronin has not yet decided whether to take that option or to run with competition. For now, being on track is what it is all about.

“While I’m running, I’m not looked at as different, I’m just another athlete,” he said. “That’s what I love the most about it.”

Sarah Moomaw can be reached at smoomaw@gazettenet.com.

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