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Elite Athlete Encourages Young Amputees The youngest of five children, Thomas was born
without a fibula and had two toes at the distal end of his residual
limb that needed to be removed. His parents took him to five
doctors, who all said that he would have to be in a wheelchair at
least until about the age of six, when possibly they could do
something to enable him to wear a prosthesis.
The sixth doctor said bluntly, "Get [him] in this Friday. I will
cut the toes off, and he will be just fine." Thomas underwent
surgery at age ten and a half months. A month later he was fitted
with his first prosthesis and began walking.
While waiting for a delayed flight in 1990, Thomas read an
article in Sports Illustrated that changed his life. The article
about legendary disabled skier Diana Golden inspired the college
student to research amputees' track and field performances. He
began to focus on training for the Pentathlon, which includes long
jump, shot-put, 100-meter race, discus, and 400-meter race.
In 1992 Thomas was selected for that year's US Paralympic team.
However, shortly before the competition in Barcelona, Spain, he
developed a staph infection. The medical staff recommended he not
compete, but Thomas persevered. Despite constant pain, he succeeded
in capturing the bronze medal. Just one year later, he became the
US Pentathlon record holder, a title he retains to this day.
Thomas conducted a First Step clinic for Disabled Sports USA
(DS/USA) at the Endeavor Games, Edmond, Oklahoma, in June. He was
thrilled to report, "We were able to get a 16-year-old missing one
arm above the elbow and two legs above the knee to run the
100-meter. He was awesome!"
 Then in July, he held a bio-fit seminar for young
people at the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) Annual Educational
Conference and Exposition in Anaheim, California.
Thomas then headed for Lille, France, to represent the US at the
International Paralympic Committee 2002 Athletics World
Championships (results not available at press time). For the discus
and shot-put events, he was fitted with Otto Bock's new LuXon Max
DP Dynamic Response Foot Pylon System, currently only available in
the US. For the running events, Thomas uses Otto Bock's Springlite
Sprinter.
Life's Highlights
One of Thomas' most memorable moments was meeting a young man,
David Roberts, and his parents, during a trip to Houston. David had
lost both legs in a boating accident. David's father was having an
especially hard time dealing with his son's disability.
"Later that year, we had a chance to race in the Olympic
Festival in San Antonio," Thomas said. "I invited the Roberts to
come and watch it. After the race, I could see the look of hope on
the faces of the entire family." David went on to compete in junior
wheelchair events.
Another memorable time for Thomas was in 1993, when he and two
other amputees traveled on a 15-city "Hoop-It-Up" tour, competing
against another three-person basketball team. "This was a vehicle
to show able-bodied people what we could do," Thomas said. The
group also made hospital visits and met with local amputees in each
city.
Thomas recalls his best athletic moment: "Winning the silver in
Atlanta. Most people thought I could not beat another American. I
came from behind in the 400-meter to secure the silver."
Thomas lives in Pipe Creek, Texas, near San Antonio, where he
was born. 
Table Of Contents - August 2002
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