In 1965, Dick Traum, 24, was filling his gas tank at a gas station when the car behind him jumped forward and crushed him between the 2 cars. As a result of his injuries, his right leg had to be amputated. In 1976, Dick found himself out of shape and approaching middle age. He decided to do something about it – he joined a YMCA and began running, small distances at first and building up to miles. By the end of the year, he became the first amputee to successfully complete the New York City Marathon.
The experience brought a strong sense of achievement and self-esteem. In 1983, Dick created the Achilles Track Club, now called Achilles International, to give that same life-changing experience to others with disabilities.
“Somehow, I wasn’t upset. When you lose a leg, there’s no ambiguity. You get an artificial leg and keep going.” (IMDb Mini Biography By: woodyanders)
Now 41, Stacey Kozel was diagnosed with lupus when she was 19 years old. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body. The symptoms for Stacey, as for some other Lupus patients, has been cyclical, every couple of years she would have a “flare-up”.