[photo courtesy of thomas mills]
Thomas Mills is doing the awesome! The awesome we tell you!
Accidents can change our life course, setting us on a completely different path but after the storm has gone and the adjusting complete a new more powerful purpose sometimes reveals itself.
[photo courtesy of thomas mills]
Thomas lost his leg in 2003 following a motorcycle accident. And after nine years of dealing with self-doubt, depression and suicidal thoughts the ‘Superman Walks/RAAN’ project was born.
RAAN stands for “raising awareness of amputees needs.” The project seeks to supplement the shoestring budgets of charities that help amputees out of their storm.
[photo by mark thompson]
These organisations rely predominantly on charitable public donations. And as such awareness needs to be drawn to the kinds of treatments that are required, as well as the aesthetics, functionality and the costs of prosthesis.
By competing in various obstacle courses throughout America the Superman Walks/RANN team helps raise money and public awareness for those with missing limbs. Sponsored by friends, family and the wider public the new formed crew led by Thomas are already gathering momentum and attracting attention for their mission.
[photo by mark thompson]
The idea for the project was born soon after Thomas completed a solo Tough Mudder obstacle course earlier this year. Literally overcoming obstacles gave Thomas a physical metaphor for his storm.
[photo courtesy of thomas mills]
“No man is an island” and just like friends and family had supported him through the nine years of mental and physical adjustment it was important to Thomas to recreate that love, support and camaraderie on the obstacle course. So the Superman Walks team’s purpose during races is to ensure, no matter what, that all members of the team finish the course together.
[photo courtesy of thomas mills]
Matthew Pizzuto who also suffered the loss of part of his leg following a motorcycle accident is the first participant with missing limbs, other than Thomas, to have completed an obstacle course as part of the Superman Walks team. He did so without having yet received a prosthesis.
[photo courtesy of thomas mills]
Matthew had wanted his family to be there to complete the course but unfortunately......just watch the video:
Donate or join the page to help raise awareness for Superman Thomas Mills, his Supercrew and the Superhuman spirit that’s making this project tick.
