Private coach, biker, ultra-marathon path runner, swimmer and all-round thrill-seeker Travis Warwick-Oliver had racked up a formidable cross-discipline sports activities report when a motocross harm in 2020 led to the lack of one in every of his legs. An adrenaline junkie to the core, he got here again tougher and more durable, refusing to let go of his goals.
Extremely Path Drakensberg. Picture by Alexis Berg.
It often takes as much as a yr simply to return to “each day” actions however I used to be about to run 160km within the Extremely-Path Drakensberg (UTD). I felt like I had achieved one thing big, simply by standing on the beginning line – it was simply 14 months since I’d had my proper leg amputated under the knee.
It’s loopy to assume how far I’ve come since my bike accident in March 2020. That was surreal; I went to hospital, got here out just a few days later, however within the meantime, the nation had gone into laborious Lockdown. It felt like a zombie apocalypse on that drive dwelling from the hospital. I had two extra surgical procedures however was instructed I might by no means run once more. I refused to simply accept that and ended up having 5 extra fairly painful surgical procedures however when it turned clear that my foot wasn’t going to heal, we began discussing amputation.
I did as a lot analysis as I might and I wished to speak to some sporting amputees however in South Africa, there aren’t many. Ultimately I met Chris Hearn, an SA BMX rider and an amputee. After we met, I used to be struggling to get round on my injured foot and he simply hopped out of his automobile and mainly ran down the highway on his prosthetic, and in that second I made a decision to go forward with the amputation.
I’d spent quite a lot of time coaching however being the one ultra-distance blade runner within the nation meant I used to be studying as I went alongside. After I couldn’t run, I might swim, and in February I did the Midmar 16-miler for charity. That’s 16 miles in a single go! With that occasion ticked off the checklist, my focus was on UTD.
It began off properly, I’d go a lot of individuals after which I’d need to cease, are likely to my stump, drain all of the sweat and put my leg again on, then I’d go extra individuals and need to repeat the method. By the point I acquired to the Black Mountain part, I used to be beginning to provide you with all kinds of excuses to cease. And I used to be the one amputee in that race, who was going to argue with me? However each time I finished, I acquired a lot encouragement from my family and friends and I’d discover a approach to hold going.
Ultimately, I had misplaced a lot quantity from sweating so profusely that my prosthesis wasn’t becoming correctly on my stump, so I needed to put on further quantity socks to make it match. I used to be switching between my operating blade and my strolling leg however the terrain wasn’t actually excellent for both in some elements. After 35 hours, I used to be so exhausted I needed to cease and take a 20-minute nap. I had already run 142km; I solely had 18km to go however I simply wanted to relaxation.
Clearly, the sleeping situations weren’t excellent, and I ended up sleeping at an angle that brought about a rush of blood to my stump. It was so badly blistered already, and after I awakened it was so swollen that I struggled to get my blade on. I walked just a few metres however the ache was intense. It was late on the Saturday night time and I lastly needed to make the choice to tug out. I solely had 18km to go nevertheless it simply wasn’t doable. The worst half was I felt and seemed loads higher than a few of the guys coming by way of; I felt robust sufficient to do it however with the blistering and the swelling, I used to be in too poor a situation. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I requested my girlfriend, ‘What do I do now? Simply push cease on my watch and that’s it?’ I’ll be again subsequent yr although.
5 issues in Travis’ backpackI pack a rag and cleaner that I make myself in a twig bottle stuffed with a mixture of Dettol and melted Dove cleaning soap.I all the time have duct tape, in case I must seal or repair something on the prosthetic.I want a quantity 4 Allen key to make changes.There’s all the time alcohol in my bag, however not the enjoyable form! I pack surgical spirits in case I must sterilise something.Lastly, I pack a spare blade that’s geared for various terrain.
Rejuvenate SA
Travis says the price of being an amputee is ‘insane’. To pay for the operation that began his prosthesis journey, his dad bought a bike. ‘Within the 18 months I’ve been an amputee, I’ve had 5 totally different prosthetics. My strolling leg and my operating blade value over R300 000, and every time I’ve needed to have a socket refitted, it has value between R10 000 and R50 000.’
His private expertise with the prices concerned is what prompted Travis to start out Rejuvenate SA, an NPO that raises funds to offer prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, crutches and different mobility aids for these in want. ‘We attempt to assist individuals who need assistance with mobility. Most medical support schemes solely cowl a small fraction of the price, if in any respect. We’re elevating funds in the meanwhile for a nine-year-old woman who has been an amputee since she was 11 months outdated. We’re funding a operating blade for her, which goes to value upwards of R100 000. With the cash I raised operating the UTD, we have been capable of get a 4×4 wheelchair for Pleasure Mzolo, who has brittle bone illness. For the time being we depend on donors. It’s powerful, as a result of a prosthetic that matches somebody now may not match six months down the road, so the prices concerned are all the time altering.’
Donate by visiting rejuvenatesa.com/donate
This text initially appeared within the August 2022 print situation of Getaway
Interview by Lauren Dold
Images by Alexis Berg
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