Getting to the Starting Line

Oscar Pistorius was born without fibulas (the bone in the calf of the leg). This summer he will compete as a sprinter in the Olympics. What kind of limits did his parents accept for their handicapped South African son? What kind of training did he have as a child that made him think he could do this? How did he get the courage to appear in front of people as the “Blade Runner.?” What affect will his appearance have on the thousands of young Americans coming home from the war without limbs?

Part of the controversy around Pistorius is the question of whether his artificial limbs are actually an advantage that should disqualify him from running. Scientists explore whether a set of prosthetics that would not give him an unfair advantage might be created. Meanwhile, Richard Hirons, clinical specialist at the company that manufacturers the prosthetics brings up the human side. “Sprinting is a small part of any runner’s daily life,” he commented. “Most people just see him on the starting line. But it’s also about carrying his bags to the starting line, taking a bath or a shower, going up stairs. It’s about what he’s able to do to get to the starting line.”

That’s the point isn’t it. What did it take for him to get to the starting line? What teams of specialists and family members have supported him along the way?  What does his story offer to the Steward in training? What do we have to do to get to the starting line?