"They told me: Now run!"
Luca, Badreldreen, and Hamza tell us how SwissLeg helps them do more than just walk comfortably, it even allows them to run.
Luca
"When I lost my leg during the civil war, on a landmine, I told myself that it will not be the end for me. I will still live my life the best I could. I got my first artificial leg and I was quite happy about it. But then it started to wear out and I wanted something better. I wanted to walk faster and without limping. When I was sent to Project Hope (SwissLeg's partner workshop) they started trying with a new leg on me which fitted me so well and then Mr. Ismail told me to try to run. It was incredible, but I could actually run with it!"
Badreldreen
"My name is Badreldreen and I am an amputee since I was ten years old. I lost my leg while riding on my bicycle one day when a truck hit me. I spent many years dragging myself the best I could and being helped by my family and my friends. Then I received a prosthesis, which helped me very much, I could walk and I was happy, but it hurt and I kept limping. I always loved sports and dreamed of running. A friend told me that I should go to Project Hope (SwissLeg's partner workshop). In a very short time they fitted me with a special leg which made an incredible difference to my life. Since I got my new leg I have met Luca and we have been running together. This was my dream and it came true!"
Hamza
"I lost both of my legs in one incident when I was serving as a soldier. While on a mission trying to reach the enemy’s camp, I was walking alongside my mates when suddenly, underneath my foot I heard the click. I knew what that was, but it was all too late. When I woke up from the hospital bed I think remembering that I was glad to be alive, but when I looked down, I noticed that my legs, both of them, were gone. I managed to arrive at Project Hope (SwissLeg's partner workshop) walking on the prostheses I was given at the hospital. When I arrived there I saw Luca running and immediately asked if I, even I, would be able to run as well? A voice from a foreign man came to me from behind saying “Yes! you will be able to run!” It was Mr. Mohammad who seemed to be very sure of himself. The same day they took casts of both of my stumps and fabricated both legs which I could wear the same day. The told me: “Now run!” I tried it, and although if was strange at the beginning I started slowly to walk, then, with to take small fast steps, and shortly after that, I was running. I started crying; so intense the emotion was for me. Something I never believed possible came to full realization."