'7 Emirates Run' to help young amputees get back on their feet

For the first time on Saturday, residents with prosthetic limbs will participate in the ‘7 Emirates Run’ to send a message that being an amputee is nothing to be ashamed of.

The 12-day charity run across the emirates will cover 575km — roughly the height of 694 Burj Khalifas stacked together.

The event is raising donations for Al Jalila Foundation to help put young amputees or children suffering from leg deformities back on their feet by giving them artificial limbs.

UAE resident and Guinness World Record holder Wendelin Lauxen will lead the runners. German sprinter Heinrich Popow, who won Gold in 100 meters sprint at the Paralympics 2012 in London, will join the pack for a few meters along with the amputees. Popow is in the country to train the amputees to run on sports prosthetics.

“Most amputees feel ashamed about their condition while some think it’s impossible for them to live a normal life. We want to inspire people and tell them having prostheses is not a bad thing,” Lauxen, founder of the charity run who holds the record of fastest time to complete a marathon on each of the seven continents, told Gulf News ahead of the Saturday event.

Original article by Janice Ponce de Leon

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‘7 Emirates Run’ to help young amputees get back on their feet