Amputees 'run free' at running clinic in Dubai

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Amputees run free at running clinic in Dubai

Dubai - The three-day running clinic took place at the Insportz Club.

By Saman Haziq

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Published: Sat 8 Dec 2018, 10:18 PM

A number of lower limb amputees from the UAE, who had forgotten how to run, feel and experience life independently, were given a chance to running, playing sport and get inspired by motivational sessions by world record holder German paralympian Heinrich Popow.
The running clinic - organised by prosthetic limbs manufacturer Otto Bock Middle East - saw Heinrich demonstrate and encourage amputees living in the UAE to try out running blade prosthetics. Heinrich was in Dubai to hold running clinics for lower limb amputees as young as 7 years old.
Heinrich, who had his left leg amputated after getting cancer diagnosed at the age of nine, won gold at the London 2012 Paralympics and is the world record holder for the 100m, with a time of 12.40 seconds.
"My rehabilitation came through sport and since then I have been only sharing my passion with all. Who doesn't want to run? Sadly, we humans value things only when we lose them. When we are healthy and well and have our legs and hands, we don't take care of them. We can run but we are lazy. With the disability, you start realising what you have lost," Heinrich told Khaleej Times.
The three-day running clinic took place at the Insportz Club from 10am to 5pm and at the Dubai club for the people of determination.
Heinrich started by giving out the running blades to the amputees and fixing it well on to their legs.
First day was about fitting the prosthetic, exercising (jogging) and getting people get used to it as it was something new. Second day started again with exercise that made the participants feel confident to run. "The exercises were such that they helped the first-time users of the running blade get rid of our inhibitions," Heinrich said.
A seven-year-old participant, Mohammed who is a double amputee since birth, could be seen excitedly running across a basketball court with his new running blade.
"These three days have been so thrilling for Mohammed that he is unable to sleep in excitement of getting up in the morning and running with Heinrich at the running clinic," said mother of Mohammed.
"It is the way Heinrich teaches with personal interest that motivates the other amputees including my son. As kids always want to move around and run, Mohammed has greatly benefitted from this running clinic. He has become so much more happier and confident," she said.
Another participant was 33-year-old Tarek, who said this running clinic has helped him feel freedom. "I have had this running blade with me for over a year but it is completely different from my regular prosthetic leg and I had no idea how to use it.
When I tried it without guidance, I could not balance myself, there was no one to guide me. But Heinrich changed everything for us because he himself is an amputee and can empathise what we amputees go through. He can feel his motivation, and the techniques he taught us here have made us sprinters almost.
"Earlier it was painful to try on the running blade and in just three days I am running at a good speed, even without feeling that I'm running," he added.
Heinrich said: "Try to see the uniqueness of every human being and not focus on his or her weaknesses. Try to connect through body language and not through seeing their limbs. Disability doesn't start with losing limbs, it starts with your mindset. If your mind is positive then you will start loving every human being." Heinrich is hoping to make running clinic an annual event in the UAE.
saman@khaleejtimes.com


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