Rudy Garcia-Tolson

Photo from: Team Ossur

Rudy Garcia was born on September 14, 1988, with some unusual congenital birth defects. These defects include the crippling Pterygium Syndrome, clubfoot, webbed fingers on both hands and a cleft lip and palate. Five years and fifteen surgeries later, Rudy [along with his parents] made the life-changing decision to have his legs amputated. He didn't want the restriction of the wheelchair to hold him back any longer. Rudy was sure he was destined to walk.

Rudy's new legs were made of steel, literally. These new legs allowed Rudy to walk, run, swim, and do all the things he never dreamed possible. Rudy became very active in sports and wanted to compete in everything he could. When Rudy turned eight, he proclaimed he would compete in the 2004 Paralympic Games for swimming. Two years later, he was already competing in a triathlon, running a mile in 6 minutes, 20 seconds, and swimming an average of 60,000 meters per week. "If you focus on your dreams and work really hard, they will come true. I'm living proof of that." Rudy says he never looked at the obstacle, only the goal.

from: http://www.ossur.com/template110.asp?PageID=1313

In 2000, he was selected for the World Championships. Rudy's times showed he had room for improvement which encouraged him to spend his summer at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs swimming 60,000 meters a week. The goal of competing in the 2004 Paralympic Games came true, and he was 15 seconds faster in most events since the 2000 competition. Rudy represented the United States in Athens, Greece in the 200-meter IM, the 100-meter Butterfly and the 100-meter Breaststroke. Not just anyone can enter and be qualified to compete. In order for Rudy to be ready, he swam two hours a day, six days a week for six years.

From Google images

Because of the advanced technology in prosthetics, Rudy is able to accomplish almost anything as if he had real legs. He uses purposely selected feet for each activity he does. The Flex-Foot® Flex-Run™ is used for track because of its flexibility and light weight; and the Vari-Flex® for everyday activities as it adapts well to uneven surfaces. By selecting his prosthetics as he needs them, he maximizes his performance in athletics, recreational activities and daily mobility.

"A brave heart is a powerful weapon," is the motto that Rudy lives by. As a motivational speaker, Garcia-Tolson appears everywhere from local schools to international adult gatherings. Wherever he goes, he makes sure to reinforce his motto. He tries his hardest not only for himself, but for others to inspire them. He wants people with abnormalities like his to realize they don't have to be tied down to a wheelchair their whole life and restricted from activites they wish they could participate in. "I always keep a positive attitude, never give up, and never say, 'I can't do it.'"