Racing for spinal injury cure

Being able to walk again is a dream for many people with spinal cord injury. Wings for Life World Run recently hosted their media launch at Melrose Arch to create awareness about spinal cord injury and also to urge people to enter the run.

All the money raised from the run’s entries will go toward finding a cure for spinal cord trauma resulting from sports injuries, motoring accidents and violence, among others.

Wings For Life is an international non-profit spinal cord research foundation. Their mission is to find a cure for spinal cord injury and fund world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

The Wings For Life World Run takes place in 34 locations worldwide, simultaneously. This means that South Africans will both start and race with thousands of participants from around the globe, all running in varying light and weather conditions for one cause. There is no finish line, instead, a catcher car chases down participants, ending their race once the car overtakes them. This allows each person to set their own goal for the event. Participants can run as little as 5km and slow down and wait for the catcher car to pass them to end their race, while others can aim for the World Champion crown.

Speaking about spinal cord damage, Ari Serlis, CEO of the QuadPara Association of South Africa said, “It is one of the most devastating injuries… because it does not only impact the ability to move one’s limbs. It also causes a large number of health-related complications and limitations in daily life. Using a wheelchair is just the tip of the iceberg.”

“Many paraplegics and quadriplegics suffer from chronic pain for months or years following their injury, bladder dysfunction and an inability to regulate their body temperature.”

He added that those are just a few of the physiological side effects. Social stigma, difficulty accessing buildings and becoming dependent on others to get from place to place are just some of what contributes to the psychological impact that many paraplegics and quadriplegics battle to recover from.

Zuki Nzo, an ambassador for the foundation and also a person living with a spinal cord injury after she was shot during a hijacking, said the race is wonderful because it gives everyone a chance to participate. She believes it shows that even those who are disabled are still able to participate and contribute to society.

Piter du Preez, who has a spinal cord sports injury said, “I urge people to join in the race, not only to help race funds but to also learn more about the injury and educate others so they can understand the injury. I have come to terms with my injury but to know that others who are suffering may one day have a chance of walking again is just brilliant.”

The race takes place on 8 May at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Details: www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com