Athletics Australia – News – Paralympics promises second wind for wounded soldier

Two years ago, Private Nathan Whittington’s life changed forever when he fell off the back of a jet ski while waterskiing in Townsville. 

As he fell, the 18-year-old’s foot became tangled in the jet ski’s tow rope and, just 10 months into his career with the Australian Army, Whittington lost his right foot.

“The tow rope pulled my foot off but I had it amputated higher so I could be more mobile. I was told having the amputation higher would make it easier for me to walk on a prosthetic,” he said.

Now 20, Whittington is training as a sprinter at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and has recently made his Australian debut, thanks to the help of the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC).

In 2010 the APC and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) established the ADF Paralympic Sport Program, which uses sport as a form of rehabilitation for soldiers who are permanently injured during their service.

Through the program, Whittington was introduced to a coach, fitted with a prosthetic leg and was running, just six months after his accident.

Having trained at the AIS under AIS Scholarship Coach Brett Robinson ever since, Whittington recently set a new personal best of 13.09 in the 100m sprint to win gold at the Wounded Warrior Games – a USA-run international multi-sport event for wounded, injured and ill service personnel.

Now he says his drive to compete at the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016 has never been greater.

“The highlight of my trip was standing on the podium with the Australian flag wrapped around my shoulders receiving my gold medal. It’s made me so hungry to succeed in the sport and to represent my country at a much bigger stage,” he said.

Coach Brett Robinson says the progress Whittington has made so soon after acquiring his disability is astounding.

“When I met Nathan I probably wouldn’t have described him as an athlete,” said Robinson.

“He was a bit out of shape but a nice kid who was willing to give running a crack, not really fully understanding what giving it a crack actually meant.

“Now he has changed so much mentally, physically and in his ability as an athlete. He’s just got that attitude that he wants to always do better.

“Rio is the target and anything in between is a bonus.  He’s got more confidence since the Wounded Warrior Games. He’s training hard, we’ve got his prosthetic leg set up right and now, things are starting to fall into place.”

APC Chief Executive Jason Hellwig says Whittington’s success is testament to the value of the ADF Paralympic Sport Program.

“The Paralympic movement was founded on the very idea that sport could be used as a form of rehabilitation,” he said.

“The program is a great way of giving wounded, injured and ill Defence members something to focus on during their rehabilitation and if they show talent and an interest in pursuing the sport, the APC connects them with a coach and the services they need to train.”

For Whittington, his involvement in the program is simple.

“When I lost my foot, one door may have closed but so many more have opened up. I can’t thank the ADF and the APC enough – this whole journey has been amazing,” he said.

“Sport has helped so much with my rehab and now I’m focused on the World Champs in July and Rio.”

With thanks to Rebekka Wake at the Australian Paralympic Committee

 

 Athletics Australia – News