Travis Warwick-Oliver: Operating for his life

It’s loopy to suppose how far I’ve come since my motorcycle accident in March 2020. That was surreal; I went to hospital, got here out a number of days later, however within the meantime, the nation had gone into exhausting Lockdown. It felt like a zombie apocalypse on that drive residence from the hospital. I had two extra surgical procedures however was instructed I’d by no means run once more. I refused to just accept that and ended up having 5 extra fairly painful surgical procedures however when it turned clear that my foot wasn’t going to heal, we began discussing amputation.

I did as a lot analysis as I might and I wished to speak to some sporting amputees however in South Africa, there aren’t many. Ultimately I met Chris Hearn, an SA BMX rider and an amputee. After we met, I used to be struggling to get round on my injured foot and he simply hopped out of his automobile and mainly ran down the highway on his prosthetic, and in that second I made a decision to go forward with the amputation. 

I’d spent a variety of time coaching however being the one ultra-distance blade runner within the nation meant I used to be studying as I went alongside. After I couldn’t run, I’d swim, and in February I did the Midmar 16-miler for charity. That’s 16 miles in a single go! With that occasion ticked off the listing, my focus was on UTD.

It began off nicely, I’d move numerous folks after which I’d need to cease, are inclined to my stump, drain all of the sweat and put my leg again on, then I’d move extra folks and need to repeat the method. By the point I bought to the Black Mountain part, I used to be beginning to give you all kinds of excuses to cease. And I used to be the one amputee in that race, who was going to argue with me? However each time I finished, I bought a lot encouragement from my family and friends and I’d discover a approach to preserve going. 

Ultimately, I had misplaced a lot quantity from sweating so profusely that my prosthesis wasn’t becoming correctly on my stump, so I needed to put on additional quantity socks to make it match. I used to be switching between my operating blade and my strolling leg however the terrain wasn’t actually perfect for both in some components. After 35 hours, I used to be so exhausted I needed to cease and take a 20-minute nap. I had already run 142km; I solely had 18km to go however I simply wanted to relaxation. 

Clearly, the sleeping circumstances weren’t perfect, and I ended up sleeping at an angle that brought on a rush of blood to my stump. It was so badly blistered already, and once I awakened it was so swollen that I struggled to get my blade on. I walked a number of metres however the ache was intense. It was late on the Saturday evening and I lastly needed to make the choice to drag out. I solely had 18km to go nevertheless it simply wasn’t potential. The worst half was I felt and regarded quite a bit higher than a few of the guys coming by way of; I felt robust sufficient to do it however with the blistering and the swelling, I used to be in too poor a situation. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I requested my girlfriend, ‘What do I do now? Simply push cease on my watch and that’s it?’ I’ll be again subsequent yr although.  

5 issues in Travis’ backpack

I pack a rag and cleaner that I make myself in a twig bottle full of a mixture of Dettol and melted Dove cleaning soap.

I at all times have duct tape, in case I have to seal or repair something on the prosthetic.

I would like a quantity 4 Allen key to make changes.

There’s at all times alcohol in my bag, however not the enjoyable sort! I pack surgical spirits in case I have to sterilise something.

Lastly, I pack a spare blade that’s geared for various terrain.

Rejuvenate SA

Travis says the price of being an amputee is ‘insane’. To pay for the operation that began his prosthesis journey, his dad bought a bike. ‘Within the 18 months I’ve been an amputee, I’ve had 5 completely different prosthetics. My strolling leg and my operating blade value over R300 000, and every time I’ve needed to have a socket refitted, it has value between R10 000 and R50 000.’

His private expertise with the prices concerned is what prompted Travis to start out Rejuvenate SA, an NPO that raises funds to offer prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, crutches and different mobility aids for these in want. ‘We attempt to assist individuals who need assistance with mobility. Most medical help schemes solely cowl a small fraction of the associated fee, if in any respect. We’re elevating funds in the mean time for a nine-year-old lady who has been an amputee since she was 11 months previous. We’re funding a operating blade for her, which goes to value upwards of R100 000. With the cash I raised operating the UTD, we have been capable of get a 4×4 wheelchair for Pleasure Mzolo, who has brittle bone illness. In the mean time we depend on donors. It’s robust, as a result of a prosthetic that matches somebody now may not match six months down the road, so the prices concerned are at all times altering.’

Donate by visiting rejuvenatesa.com/donate

This text initially appeared within the August 2022 print problem of Getaway

Interview by Lauren Dold

Images by Alexis Berg 

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