Össur News

5 October 2009

Rudy Garcia-Tolson Team Össur member to compete at the Ford Ironman World Championship

On Saturday, October 10, 21-year-old Rudy Garcia-Tolson of Bloomington, CA will be the first double above-knee amputee to compete in the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii in his division.  This historical feat is even more significant as it will mark the first time a challenged athlete with his disability will race in the event on a standard upright bike and run on advanced Ossur Flex-Foot® running prostheses made of energy-storing carbon fiber technology.

The Ford Ironman World Championship is not for the faint of heart. Tens of thousands of triathletes attempt for years to qualify. Rudy will be there with them, taking on the  2.4 mile ocean swim, 112 mile notoriously windy bike and a steamy 26.2 mile run.  But Rudy was born to take on challenges. As a spokesperson for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and member of Team Össur, Rudy has always pushed perception… pushed the limits of what the human body was meant to do.

Born with rare, multiple birth defects – a combination of crippling Pterygium Syndrome, a clubfoot, webbed fingers on both hands, and a cleft lip and palate, Rudy made the decision to have his legs amputated at the young age of five.  Even as a kid, he was determined to overcome his physical challenges. Once he gained access to advanced prosthetics, he started swimming and running and began competing in hundreds of triathlons.  By the age of eight, he had declared that he was going to win a gold medal in swimming in the 2004 Paralympic Games.

True to his word, he brought home the Gold in the 200 Meter Individual Medley in 2004 and 2008, shattering the world record for his class.  Rudy continues to swim as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Elite Team, but has shifted his focus to Ironman in pursuit of yet another seemingly impossible milestone.

“Who said you have to have legs to compete? All I’ve ever wanted to do was pursue my dreams and show people that you can do anything if you set your mind to it. Hopefully other kids with disabilities will see what I’ve accomplished and go after their dreams regardless of any perceived obstacles,” says Rudy.  “I just want to prove to the world that no matter your challenge, whether it’s physical or mental, it can be overcome with a brave heart and determination.”

Like his fellow competitors, his preparation has been relentless. He has done the miles, sacrificed time with friends and family, and committed to the experience.  However, Rudy’s preparation has an extra step most do not; his artificial legs. He needs a pair for walking, a pair for biking, and a pair for running. All told, he will have six prosthetic legs in tow for the big event. As with other athletes, technology plays a big part in helping an athlete reach their top form. Rudy is no exception. The advanced carbon fiber technology, silicone suspension, and lightweight alignment has been the catalyst that propelled Rudy to reach his goals.

As a member of Team Össur for the last 12 years, Rudy has taken an active part in R & D, providing input and making suggestions that he knows will make him a better athlete. His input at the age of 10 resulted in the development of the Flex-Run® that allows above knee amputees to run long distances. This technology has proven so valuable that Össur partnered with the Challenged Athletes Foundation to provide running feet for those who could not afford them, or when they are not covered by insurance. “Rudy represents everything the Challenged Athletes Foundation is about. Providing access and opportunity for those who have a goal, have a dream and are only limited by access to technology,” said Virginia Tinley, Executive Director for CAF. “Rudy’s example of inner strength and dedication has paved the way for a new generation of challenged athletes to dream big and we plan to be the catalyst that will support them along the way,” she added.

Now after nine months of fine-tuning his legs with his prosthetist, Michael Davidson, of Loma Linda University Medical Center, training with his coaches, and tweaking and testing his bike and prosthetics, Rudy is ready to defy the odds.  “I’m looking forward to starting the race” says Rudy. “The swim is my strongest part of the race and where I’ll find my groove.  The run is going to be the biggest challenge.  I’ll have to constantly monitor my stumps for swelling and slipping, as well as my nutrition and hydration.”

Rudy hopes to finish the Ford Ironman World Championship not only for himself, but through his role as a spokesperson for CAF,  make people aware that people with disabilities do not need to be held back by perceived limitations.   His accomplishments as an athlete and a role model have been chronicled on the Disney Channel, The Oprah Winfrey Show and ABC’s Nightline to name a few, which have allowed his peers to understand what is possible, find the help and support that is available to them through CAF, and learn about the Össur prosthetic technology they need to get into the game.

The Ford Ironman World Championship is the next opportunity for Rudy to speak his message of hope and ability, and to lead the way for future generations to follow and change perceptions of what is possible.

Challenged Athletes Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a special place where courage has many faces … where perseverance has a first name … where dreams are nourished and heroes have a home.  It is an organization unlike any other in the world. 

CAF grew out of a desire to assist one athlete paralyzed in a triathlon.  From this modest beginning arose a more important mission – to make sure people with physical challenges have the same freedom to enjoy sports as everyone else.  CAF believes that participation in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. 

Since 1994, more than $19 million has been raised and almost 3,800 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,000 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear:  give those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love.  To learn more, log on to www.challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

About Össur

Össur (ISX: OSSR) is a global leader in non-invasive orthopaedics that help people live a life without limitations. Its business is focused on improving people’s mobility through the delivery of innovative technologies within the fields of braces, supports, prosthetic limbs and compression therapies. A recognized "Technology Pioneer," Össur invests significantly in research and product development; its award-winning designs ensuring a consistently strong position in the market. Successful patient and clinical outcomes are further empowered via Össur's educational programs and business solutions. Headquartered in Iceland, Össur has major operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, with additional distributors worldwide.

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