Physically disabled Randpark resident finds purpose in running
Randpark resident Nita 'The Unicorn' Oberholzer refused to give up, despite living with constant pain every day, taking up her crutches and starting to run.
After being diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), Nita Oberholzer found renewed purpose and hope in running.
Known as the Unicorn in the running world, Oberholzer is an adaptive or disabled runner who uses crutches. She runs for charity, awareness, and fundraising.
The Randpark-based runner was diagnosed with CRPS and lost the use of her right leg permanently 11 years ago. She is also a mother, singer, and passionate individual who uses her journey to inspire and uplift others.
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Oberholzer has always been active. She was diagnosed a week before the 94.7 cycle race, which is something still on her bucket list to achieve one day.
She explained that emotionally, it was a roller-coaster ride. One moment she was active, training, and full of plans for the future, and the next moment she was trying to process a diagnosis that completely turned her world upside down.
“I went from pushing myself physically to struggling just to cope with the pain to get out of bed every single day. There were times I felt completely useless and broken, especially as the CRPS spread through the right side of my body and I thought that I lost my independence.”
Oberholzer said that, as a single mother, the emotional battle was even harder. She had moments where she felt defeated and questioned how she would keep going.
Despite the pain, her daughter became the reason to rise instead of giving up. She gave Oberholzer the strength to keep fighting. Even on days when she did not think she had any strength left in her.
“The treatments themselves were incredibly difficult. I went through countless pain management treatments, including strong opioid management medications, nerve blockers, ketamine infusions, physiotherapy multiple times a week, and mirror therapy, to name a few.
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There were days when it felt like I was losing myself completely, but somewhere in all of the pain, I realised I had two choices: Allow CRPS to define the rest of my life or fight to rebuild my life in a different way.”
About five years ago, she decided enough was enough. She got up, put on her gear, and started running. What began as simply trying to get out of bed and to move again despite the pain slowly became something bigger for The Unicorn.
She said running gave her purpose, freedom, strength, and a way to prove to herself that she is capable of more. She runs using crutches, and every kilometre represents determination and perseverance.
She has completed multiple 10km races, with her longest distance so far being 15km.
“I also use my running to raise awareness, and funds, and support causes close to my heart, including CRPS, Alzheimer’s/dementia, gender-based awareness, breast cancer, diabetes, and MS, only to name a few.
For me, running is about far more than medals and finish lines; it is about resilience, hope, and showing others that even when life changes completely, you can still rise, keep moving forward, and inspire people along the way.”
Running is already a mental and physical battle, and comes with its own aches, pains, and injuries.
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Running with a disability and crutches adds a completely different level of difficulty, with its own challenges. Physically, the strain can be intense for Oberholzer.
She said her arms, shoulders, back, and left leg take constant pressure, and recovery is not always simple. On top of that, she lives with a constant pain level of around 8 out of 10 every day because of the CRPS.
“Physically, it helped me become stronger, but emotionally and mentally, it gave me my life back in a way. After being diagnosed, there was a time when I felt like I had lost myself completely. Running gave me purpose again. A reason to get out of bed. It gave me goals, motivation, and something to fight for. It changed the way I see myself.
“Instead of only seeing disability and limitations, I started seeing strength, resilience, and so many possibilities. It gave me a platform to create awareness, inspire others, and connect with an incredible community of people who support and encourage me.”
Oberholzer is currently training for the Two Oceans 21 km and is nominated for the Runner Awards for Gauteng’s adaptive runner of the year.
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