Race to Feature “Central Park Jogger” and First Female Amputee Back from Iraq

On Saturday, June 17th, in Bloomington’s Hyland Park, Trisha Meili, author of , “I Am The Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility” will join Melissa Stockwell, the first female amputee back from Iraq, and  participants from across the nation in the inaugural Hope and Possibility in Minneapolis. The 5K run/walk is open to the public and is being hosted by the Achilles Track Club in partnership with the Amputee Coalition of America and sponsored by Otto Bock Healthcare, headquartered in Minneapolis.

Sixteen years ago, while running through Central Park, Trisha was accosted, beaten, raped and left for dead.  During her rehabilitation, she learned of the Achilles Track Club that encourages distance running for people with all types of disabilities.  She eventually ran again and completed two NYC Marathons, the first with Achilles President and Founder, Dick Traum.  Now, she’s Chairman of the Board.

Melissa Stockwell could not believe she lost her leg, yet didn’t hesitate to sign up with the Achilles Freedom Team; a ‘running’ group of wounded veterans back from Iraq and Afghanistan.  The program to provide goals, training, equipment and opportunity for accomplishment was initiated over two years ago at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC.  With doubting minds on the ability to do a marathon, the first goal was the HOPE & POSSIBILITY 5M.  Melissa was looking forward to the race, yet infection stepped in, requiring additional surgeries to save her life.   Thirty-four traveled to NYC to participate in Achilles’ 5 Mile event.   Sixteen returned four months later for the marathon.  This time, Melissa joined them.  After building back her strength, she pushed through the entire 26.2-mile distance on a handcrank wheelchair with husband Dick at her side. 

For the first time, Achilles is expanding their signature H&P event outside New York.   This will be the first time that Trisha and Melissa will run together.  Everyone is invited to come out and join them.   

Runners, Walkers and athletes of all ages, with all types of abilities and disabilities will participate together side by side.  Wheelchair participants are also welcome.  The Mayor of Bloomington, along with the Fire and Police Department, will be on hand to help and participate in the event.

Paddy Rossbach, RN, President and CEO of the Amputee Coalition of America, was one of the first members of the Achilles Track Club.  Paddy’s entire career in the world of limb loss started when she met Dick Traum and began training for her first marathon with Achilles in 1984. She held the Female Below the Knee Amputee Marathon record for many years.  Paddy is also the co-founder of ASPIRE, Inc. a nonprofit organization in the New York area which focuses on sports and recreational activities for children and young adults with limb loss.

Minneapolis-based Otto Bock HealthCare is the Champion Sponsor of the H&P.  The global leader in  high-tech prosthetic and orthotic products,   including   the C-Leg®  microprocesor knee, the world's first completely computer-controlled artificial leg.  A recognized standard of care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the C-Leg is used in the treatment of injured military returning from overseas.   

Support also comes from the Mobility Clinic presented by Ossur on Friday, June 16th during the ACA conference at the Sheraton Bloomington.   Amputees will be evaluated and coached on their running with emphasis on further distances.  One of them, Mike McNaughton, an Achilles Freedom Team member also

back from Iraq, is known for running with President George Bush.   The hope of Achilles is that participants enjoy the event so much they will consider signing up for the Achilles Team in this year’s ING New York City Marathon on November 5.  AVIS continues their “We Try Harder” spirit with sponsorship of Achilles athletes in races and transportation to the starting line.

Pre-Registration is online at http://www.achillestrackclub.org/hopeandpossibility/index_MN.html.  Race Day registration and number pick-up opens at 6 AM at the Visitor’s Center in Hyland Park in Bloomington.   Awards will be presented after the race at the Visitor’s Center.    New York will experience its 4th Annual HOPE & POSSIBILITY 5M presented by Cushman & Wakefield on Sunday, August 6th, in Central Park.

ACHILLES

Achilles, a not-for-profit organization designated 501(c) 3, provides opportunity for disabled members to participate in mainstream distance running. to promote personal achievement, enhanced self-esteem, and the lowering of barriers between people.

Dick Traum, Ph.D., who founded Achilles in l983, was the first amputee to run a marathon.  Since its inception, Achilles has expanded to over three thousand members in the New York City metropolitan area, as well as others across the United States and over sixty foreign countries.  Achilles runners use crutches, braces, artificial limbs, and wheelchairs or run without aids.  Some are experienced athletes, while others are exercising for the first time.  Members report that running enhances their health and, under certain conditions, slows or reverses degenerative aspects of some disabilities.

Mary Bryant is Director of the Achilles Program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  She has introduced over 180 recently wounded war veterans to long distance running, and the program is expanding in numbers and in scope.  A National Marathoners Tour has been set up for disabled vets with race experience, and team members are now starting new Achilles Chapters in their hometowns.   

Handcrank sports wheelchairs are endowed for these athletes by organizations, corporations and individuals thru Achilles.

For additional information, or to make a donation, visit www.achillestrackclub.org .  To contact program director, Mary Bryant, call  212-354-0300 or email her at mbryant@achillestrackclub.org .

AMPUTEE COALITION OF AMERICA

Founded in 1986, the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit with the mission of reaching out to people with limb loss and empowering them through education, support and advocacy. Through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the ACA maintains the National Limb Loss Information Center (NLLIC), the nation's most comprehensive source of information for people living with limb loss.

For more information on the ACA or their annual educational conference, visit www.amputee-coalition.org, call toll-free 888/AMP-KNOW or e-mail conference@amputee-coalition.org.