|
 |
 |
| Wazny assists Kelly Allen during a rock-climbing training event conducted as part of Wright & Filippis' AmpuTeam program. |
Imagine racing around a moto-cross track, adrenaline pumping, hitting jumps and railing corners – then coming over a jump and seeing a two-ton front-loader standing in your way. What would you do in that situation?
For Jim Wazny, that moment required quick thinking... and a little bit of hope.
"I actually tried to save my bike" Wazny joked. He ditched his bike in an effort to avoid the machine, but it was too late. After colliding with the front-loader, Wazny knew immediately that something was wrong.
"When I sat up, I was a little woozy from the crash, and after I looked down and realized my leg was gone, I went into shock," Wazny said. "Then I woke up in the hospital, saw my leg was gone, and knew I hadn't dreamt it."
What Wazny couldn't have realized at the time was that, although his life was forever changed, the opportunity to pursue the sport he loves would still be within his grasp.
For the past three years, Wazny has worked at Wright & Filippis in pursuit of becoming a prosthetist. He is very active in the company's AmpuTeam program, which helps amputees return to pursuing their dreams and leading the most active life possible. "I don't believe I would be where I am today if I hadn't lost my leg," Wazny said. "It was a blessing in disguise."
Wazny is also on the executive board for the Extremity Games, an international event held yearly for amputees who compete in kayaking, rock climbing, moto-cross, skateboarding, mountain biking, wakeboarding, and other events. After wowing the crowd with a moto-cross demonstration at the first-ever Extremity Games in 2006, he captured a silver medal in the inaugural moto-cross competition at the 2007 Games in Florida.
The Extremity Games moved to Michigan last year and has truly become one of the marquee events for amputees from all over the globe. With over a hundred competitors from seven different countries, the Extremity Games showcase amputees' abilities in the world of extreme sports.
Wright & Filippis has become a main supporter for the Extremity Games, sponsoring 12 athletes who accumulated a total of six medals in 2008. Not coincidentally, the majority of those athletes, including Jim Wazny, have been active in Wright & Filippis' AmpuTeam Program.
Wright & Filippis encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the festivities at Extremity Games 4 on July 9-11, 2009. Events will be held at various sites throughout Mid- and Southeastern Michigan. For more information, visit www.extremitygames.com.