FORT SMITH — Richard Browne took a deep breath and released some nervous energy when he sprinted forward a few feet before taking his position at the starting blocks for the big race.
Never Say Never Foundation
Mission statement and vision
“A nonprofit organization that was formed to help disabled young people to overcome adversity through a positive attitude. Focusing on amputee athletes, our goal is to push the limits of adaptive sports and show the world anything is possible. Our efforts include mentoring and sponsoring athletes, fund raising, hosting adaptive events and stunt shows, motivational speaking, and providing disabled youths with the tools to compete at the highest levels in sports. “You are the only person who can limit you — never say never.”
Even with a state champion four lanes over, all eyes in the stadium were on Browne, an experienced athlete who has raced all over the world. At the gun, Browne started slowly in the 100-meter dash then picked up speed and finished third in an eightman field against some top high school sprinters from Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Not bad for a guy with one leg.
Browne, 27, was among a handful of men with missing limbs who took part in the “Battle with the Blades” during the McDonald’s Relays last week at Fort Smith Southside. The amputees ran alongside the high school athletes, but their competition was against the clock and, mostly, themselves.
Browne, who grew up in Jackson, Miss., had a belowthe-knee amputation in 2009 after he fell into a window and shattered his right leg. A football and basketball player in high school, Browne took up track and field after his accident and won the silver medal at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, England.
“These guys are definitely an inspiration for me or any of the athletes out here,” said Payton Copher, a junior from Springdale Har-Ber, who won the 100-meter dash at the Fort Smith McDonald’s Relays. “It was a pleasure to run against (Browne). We’re healthy and able to run and these guys have had parts of their bodies taken away. In my eyes, if you’re a paralympian you’re an Olympian.”
That’s the message the Blade Runners want to convey, especially to young people who are faced with similar disabilities. The athletes are in unison in the belief that the loss of a limb, hearing or eyesight doesn’t have to mean the end of an active and healthy lifestyle.
“Coming out here and competing has given me a sense of identity,” said Browne, who had 13 surgeries before the decision was made to amputate his leg below the knee. “I’ve been all over the world, broken world records, and run in some of the biggest meets there is. I’m an example to these kids and, anyone really who’s faced some hardships, that you can overcome those things and still do what you want.”
Cody Johnson of Bigelow was the lone Arkansan among the Blade Runners, who were introduced individually at midfield before the sprints began at Southside. Johnson, 26, was singled out and awarded a blade, which is more expensive and in higher demand than a regular prosthetic for amputee athletes. The Blade Runners receive help from organizations like the Never Say Never Foundation and Arkansas Freedom Fund, which raises money and awareness for those with limb loss.
Johnson is a newcomer among the Blade Runners after he accidentally shot himself in the leg with a rifle 2 1/2 years ago. The McDonald’s Relays was only his second race.
“As soon as I got out of surgery, I had the mindset that everything was going to be OK,” said Johnson, who was a three-sport athlete at Bigelow High School. “I never questioned things, I never got depressed or got down. There are 365 days in a year and one bad day isn’t going to stop me or slow me down.”
Not all amputees move on so easily.
ly tough transition for Aaron Smith, a 6-foot-7 athlete who was on the track and field team at Texas A&M. Smith, 39, was dragged and stomped by a horse six years ago when his foot got caught in the stirrup after the animal unexpectedly took off running. Smith initially thought he had only suffered a broken leg, but infection spread throughout his lower body. The decision was eventually made to amputate.
“The doctor was very arrogant and he thought he was God,” said Smith, who lives in Gainesville, Texas, and raises beef cattle. “He said I didn’t have an infection and that what I was going through was normal. It wasn’t normal and I almost died when my blood had an adverse reaction to the donor’s blood.
“It was a depressing thing for me, especially being an active athlete who liked to be outdoors a lot before this happened.”
Eventually, Smith came to grips with his situation. He now competes regularly with the Blade Runners and speaks to students about maintaining a positive attitude, even with disabilities.
“At first I was like ‘why me,’”? Smith said. “Then I decided ‘why not me’? My message is ‘Don’t let anyone stereotype you and try to tell you what you can’t do.’ You can still do anything you want, even without legs.”