Salt Lake City (ABC News 4) She could have said it’s too hard, but that’s not how she runs.
When you see people out jogging or running you probably don’t pay that much attention to them. But if you happen to see Gwyn Goodson McNeal running - you'll notice. That’s because the 41 year old has one leg and runs with a prosthetic leg or running blade. She lost her left leg when just before her fifth birthday. "I was almost 5. I was in an accident with a lawn mower. My neighbor was mowing the lawn and I tripped in front of it. I was so young. It was just who I was."
It might have been who she was, but that didn't make running easy. Gwyn says that running was the one thing she couldn't do growing up. She says if she ran too much on the older prosthetic legs “would break down and I'd be on crutches for weeks. So, I've never been a runner."
Ten years ago she started using the running blade and about two years ago she went from 'going on runs' for exercise to becoming a runner – and ask anyone who runs - there’s a big difference. "I starting thinking I haven't had problems I should push this. So, I started adding a half mile here and a mile here and there. And I said I can do a half (marathon), I may as well." So she did. And she been pounding the pavement ever since. "Tomorrow (March 20th) I run the Moab half, which will be my tenth half marathon in eighteen months. And in April I will run the Boston which will be my 3rd marathon."
While that is certainly impressive – if not incredibly impressive - it's not the point of the story. In fact, Gwyn met with us to talk about the charitable organization Challenged Athletes Foundation. It’s a non profit charity that provides opportunities for those with physical disabilities, like her, to participate in sports and to find the courage to be physically active. Gwyn says, "For other challenged athletes who don't have access to equipment or training it gives grants so they can participate.” She says many disabled people don't take part because it is expensive.
Challenged Athletes mission is to provide those opportunities and to help people find the courage to participate. That's something Gwyn was able to find on her own. Now she wants to help others find it as well. "If I can do it, anyone can do it."
For more information visit:
www.challengedathletes.org
