Lower limb amputee finishes NYC Marathon in remarkable 3hrs 50min

Nov. 19, 2009 - PRLog -- Minneapolis, MN-Pushed from a moving train when he was twenty-six years old, Edson Dantas suffered injuries to his right leg so severe that a below knee amputation was necessary.  Instead of being able to focus on a typical future for someone his age, Edson suddenly found himself dealing with an extremely daunting challenge.

“It was very difficult to have to go through something so upsetting,” Edson recalls.  “It took away my self-esteem.”

A competitor at heart, however, Edson found himself drawn back to the soccer field following rehabilitation.  His achievements there resulted in a returning confidence, and eventually he was ready to attempt what just a few years earlier he would have believed impossible – running long distance races.

Edson started out big, taking on the New York City Marathon in 2002 and managing a third place finish in the category that includes those with limb loss.  Since then he has laid claim to several long distance running records and championships, and is considered an elite Brazilian athlete.
 
But the recent New York City Marathon was an especially rewarding experience as Edson captured first place out of 186 competitors in his division.  He credits his custom made Otto Bock HealthCare C-Sprint® sports foot with allowing him to compete at such a high level.  A narrow double spring made of carbon provides exceptional energy storage and aerodynamics, and the foot has a proven record in international competitions.  

“It makes me very happy to be able to run through life,” says Edson.  “I’ve come to believe anything is possible.”

(For more on the C-Sprint:  http://ottobockus.com/cps/rde/xchg/ob_us_en/hs.xsl/8056.html)

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Minnesota-based Otto Bock HealthCare LP was established in 1958 as the Americas corporate headquarters of Otto Bock HealthCare, GmbH, based in Duderstadt, Germany. Otto Bock has more than 3,800 employees worldwide and produces over 25,000 types of prosthetic and orthotic components, mobility and rehabilitation products, and is the U.S. leader in delivering continuous passive motion (CPM) services and related therapies. (http://www.ottobockus.com)