Dedication

Just a few days away now from the Bayshore Marathon, my first marathon since 2016. Training is done and all that is left is to run a few easy miles, try not to forget to pack everything, and keep checking the weather every 5 minutes. :)

There is always so much uncertainty in a race but definitely amplified for this distance. I will have family for support that is without question a force that will help me when the going gets tough.

Lately I have been thinking about my mom often, how she supported me when she saw my passion running as a child and even tried to get me coaching when it simply wasn't available where we lived. I think how I wish I could do the impossible and tell her only now can I appreciate what I had, a mother who always loved me and never let me doubt who I was or what I could do.

I can hear her voice now, calling me "Ricky" as I was known as a kid, telling me I can do this. I can see her face and feel her presence and know too I will see her in my mind and heart as I take to the starting line. And remember.

*******

If There Are Any Heavens

if there are any heavens my mother will(all by herself)have

one.   It will not be a pansy heaven nor

a fragile heaven of lilies-of-the-valley but

it will be a heaven of blackred roses

 

my father will be(deep like a rose

tall like a rose)

 

standing near my

 

swaying over her

(silent)

with eyes which are really petals and see

 

nothing with the face of a poet really which

is a flower and not a face with

hands

which whisper

This is my beloved my

 

        (suddenly in sunlight

 

he will bow,

 

&the whole garden will bow)

                                                                 - e.e. cummings

Mom and Me
Hannibal MO October 1, 2007

American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists - March 3, 20222

Brent Wright and me

I had a fantastic time at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists yesterday. Met some amazing professionals at Hewlett-Packard and their partners in this great endeavor.

One thing that struck me over and over is how well these people worked together for a common goal, to produce the best outcomes for current and future patients. What a great profession of caring individuals.

I gave an abbreviated version of my story at the HP 3D printing presentation, strange how it comes to life in my mind when I do this, especially the emotions that surface in this journey. I realize how fortunate I am to touch my dreams through the efforts of an army of healthcare professionals.

This could not have happened had I not been a patient at ProCare Prosthetics & Orthotics, and having worked with such dedicated prosthetists there. The teams and facilities Stephen A. Schulte has created and specially the efforts of Shane Grubbs allowed me to me to work in the development of a one-of-its-kind-in-the-world running prosthesis. Shane's passion for his profession parallels mine for running, he loves his work and is ever looking to improve the lives of amputees.

Brent Wright has been working with Shane to produce my current 3D printed running prosthesis. He was kind enough to walk the AAOP exhibit floor and talk to some of the professionals there. He, like Shane, loves his work and I am fortunate to come to know him.

Outer Socket Showing Vacuum at Knee 

 

I would say it is unbelievable but I was there so... There is so much promise in this technology, I am very familiar with HP printers in my former job and know as the equipment becomes more advanced and volumes go up, prices come down and can be available to a much wider market.

We still have a ways to go, but the fact I have run for 15 weeks now with zero blisters or other skins issues is something that I've haven't done for at least 8 years. Plus my current long run is 17 miles and almost 60 miles for my 9 day training block.

I am not sure I can achieve the time I need to run at my next marathon in order to qualify for the competitive Boston mobility impaired division, but I do believe I can run such a time at Boston in 2023 with the training I can now do. I will be 70 then, something probably even more unbelievable to me. Whatever the future brings, its promise is brighter than ever for disabled athletes.

It is a good day to run, now and tomorrow.

Running to Tomorrow

3D Printed Inner Socket

We are on our third prototype socket as seen above. The main difference is it is completely skinned,  that is you don't see the lattice structure of the previous two designs.

Those designs were initially in response to a problem I was having with distal fib swelling. This was caused by a single surgical screw what was employed to hold my Ertl type leg reconstruction together while the bones fused to each other.

X-ray showing exposed screw

Over time the screw caused irritation and sharp pain and induced swelling as the leg remodeled itself. This most likely caused the eventual blisters that were the bane of my running for years and made any distance running impossible without severe consequences.

I had the surgical screw issue finally identified by Dr. Ohlson and it was removed on December 15, 2020 in an out-patient procedure that was fairly quick. Pain was minimal and I jogged my first post-surgery mile on January 21, 2021.

Screw removal stitches

So we continue to refine my 3D prosthesis with modifications to the inner socket and I suspect outer frame in time. I seriously doubt I would have had access to this new technology at this point in time had I not had this screw issue. Shane Grubbs, my prosthetist, dogged pursuit of a solution brought us all together. The old adage "opportunity in adversity" is a recurring theme in my running saga, and it has taught me humility and patience far beyond any natural inclinations for those traits.

I have been asked by HP to join them at their booth at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) on March 3, 2022 to highlight this new technology and the benefits it offers. It will be an honor to meet the some of the people who have made great advances in prosthetics and helped me return to distance running.

I ran 17 miles two days ago, and although I did have to make some modifications to my fib head area for fit, I ran the distance with no blisters and little post-run muscle soreness. For years this had not been possible for me.

Now...I run to tomorrow.

2013 Boston Starting Line

Left to right: Randy Spellman, Mike Lenhart, Me, MD Shariff Abdullah, Kelly Luckett, BethAnn Perkins

The Long and Winding Road

My first 3D printed inner socket

 

 It has been a while since I worked on this blog, which is basically and account of my amputee running journey.

I intent to restart soon as I am attempting to qualify for the 2023 Boston Marathon, which will be the 10 year anniversary of my first marathon...and one that will live forever in history in the love that rose from the ashes of hate.

Much has happened in the time from my last postings until now. Lost family, new residence, and considerable prosthetic trials.

It has been a journey I could never have anticipated, yet one I embrace daily. I will be 70 should I make it to the starting line in Hopkinton in 2023. Covid has had a shouting say in our lives that may yet cause disruptions, but there is nothing I can do about that.

What I am doing is training to my goal, aided by a tremendously dedicated prosthetist - Shane Grubbs - who has gone far beyond the extra mile in getting me back to consistent training.

We cannot know what tomorrow will bring, yes, life is that box of chocolates.

Let us have One More.