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Filipino Handicap
Rudy Fernandez Rodolfo Fernandez (born December 5, 1947 in Iloilo, Philippines) commonly known as Rudy and referred as the "Iron Man of Asia", is a multi-awarded, one-legged Filipino triathlete who had finished a degree in Physical Education.

Rudy had competed in running, swimming and cycling, and prides himself in always finishing the race despite the obvious handicap. He was a participant in an athletic competition in early 2005 held in Singapore.

In 1996, Rudy attracted attention by swimming from Guimaras to Iloilo, beating Terry Fox's record.

Rudy became torchbearer for two multi-sport events: the 2001 SEA Games, and the Palarong Pambansa 2005 (Philippine National Games). Currently he is supporting a charity that supports youth, especially those with physical disabilities and the differently-abled. This became his inspiration in joining Pinoy Big Brother.

He is currently married to Melba, a midwife, with whom they have three sons, the first names of which all end in -itz.

He had an amputation at the thigh of his right leg. The amputation was due to a bomb explosion in the Alegro Theater from his hometown in Iloilo on 1978. He began using a mechanical hydraulic prosthetic leg in the 80's.

The survivor in Rudy

By Florence F. Hibionada

"I will only stop running the day my heart stops beating."

Rodolfo "Rudy" Fernandez His day begins at dawn, the routine almost always the same - run, swim and bike. And then it continues throughout the day. More running, some swimming and biking.

At 59, Rodolfo "Rudy" Fernandez, holder of several unbeaten track records and advocate of social causes to end hunger and poverty, has become the man he has since pushed himself into - a world-class triathlete.

A licensed Secondary Physical Education teacher at the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) in Lapaz, Iloilo City, this varsity scholar of the University of San Agustin has indeed gone a long way. He also lost one good leg along that way.

For someone whose passion in life is running, bemedalled even for those pursuits, a single leg fracture could spell disaster. So imagine losing a whole leg to a grenade explosion. For many, that would have meant the end of the road but not for the survivor in Rudy, fifth of eleven Fernandez siblings, natives of Pili, Ajuy, Iloilo.

He was at the peak of his running career when tragedy struck: he was among the scores hurt and seriously wounded in a grenade attack back in July 14, 1978 inside a cinema by downtown Iloilo City. Double tragedy too for him and his family after one of the two later discovered to have been killed in the blast was his 16 year-old brother-in-law, who was seated right next to him.

The years in between proved to be lowest and highest for this homegrown hero, icon of Iloilo and inspiration across the globe to those who stand by the road to have a glimpse and at times applaud the effort of this one-legged multi-faceted athlete.

Father to three sons and an adopted daughter, Rudy remains dedicated to every mile run, every river crossed and every mountain trek biked. To his credit are admirable, astonishing even, records of triumphs - majority of which he won as an amputee athlete.

At the start of last year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games with the Philippines as host country, Rudy proudly took center stage anew after running his part, carrying the SEA games torch. Days later, he filed for a leave of absence at work to once again take part in an international marathon event in Singapore.

Every event he participates in is yet another symbol of victory for all others whose physical handicaps have made them inferior to life and living. Rudy stands as the living proof that anything is possible for as long as you set your heart to it.

One man with his one leg, off to many journeys as he returns home with many victories. Among his many pursuits, most notable was his swim across the shark-infested waters between Panay and Negros islands, 21 nautical miles (32 kms) of non-stop 7 hours, 48 minutes and 18 seconds back in January 20, 1996.

"I was afraid to stop then. The sharks might get me. I once read while researching that continuous swimming will have your body temperature adjust to a certain level that even the sharks will begin to think you are one of them. I don't know if that's true. But I believed it anyway so I just kept on going until I am sure no sharks were in sight," he said in jest while recalling the excitement of that particular swim for a cause.

That's the real Rudy, running, biking and swimming for his life and others.

Yet how is he since the grenade attack?

"I have long forgiven them. I don't even know who they are. But for a while, at least over a year after it happened, I was so devastated, all hopes were gone. I have no leg. I cannot run. I cannot even walk. So I hated the world and somehow allowed them to take from me more than the leg I lost. I let them get my life as well. My trophies and medals, those were the very first ones I kept out my sight. Those were victories from my past where I still had two legs, when I was still complete. The more I see them the more I got frustrated. It was like being given new pairs of shoes when I don't even need one. But one day, with God's grace, I finally put a stop to it. I saw this show on television where someone who had a far worse handicap than me was doing something remarkable. I thought then: ‘I'm not blind nor my body is only half, I can do that. I can do more'," Rudy said.

Raffy Uytiepo, Rudy Fernandez and Jeeffrey Joplo Thus, he once again psyched himself up. One step, half-step at a time. His training was even more fired up until local reporters began to notice him. Then a story was written of his second chance as an athlete, an amputee athlete. That was all he needed. The second lease at life that got American businessman Don Kerr of California call him one day. It was to be his first-ever international call that got him not only a new believer in Kerr but his most precious gift ever - a new leg, most specifically a Titanium hydraulic mechanical leg.

"I was surprised he knows me. Then he said his company can make me a new leg. I remember telling him then: ‘It's okay, I don't need one.' I actually meant I cannot afford to pay for one. Then, as if he knows my predicament, he said they will give it to me for free. Up until today, I am still in disbelief because here is a total stranger who wants to help me," Rudy continued. In hindsight he added, "You know, at the time of the grenade incident, I was warned. I went to the restroom and I heard this male voice calling my name, "Jing, dali lang (Jing, please wait)." Nobody knows me by that name except those I know from childhood but I was in a hurry to get back to the movie ‘Attack of Agathon'. Maybe, had I listened to that voice, I am a different man now but then I am better one with my one real leg and this Titanium one."

There are to be others instrumental in helping him believe in second chances. There's yet another angel in his boss, Engineer Richard Salas, who got him his first bike. In crutches then, Rudy said he would always report to work late after most often being ignored by passing jeepneys.

"My boss gave me the bike as a present after I assured him that I can ride it. I told him if the blind can find their way, how much more myself who has perfect vision and one perfect leg," he said. Rudy has never been late for work since then.

Tanni Grey-Thompson

Tanni Carys Davina Grey-Thompson OBE - to give her full name and title - is the disabled athlete that most people instantly recognise. Formerly Tanni Grey - the Thompson was added following her marriage in 1999 - she has competed in Paralympic Games since 1988, representing Britain at distances ranging from 100m to 800m. She has won fourteen paralympic medals including nine golds, and has broken over twenty world records. As a wheelchair athlete she was also the winner of five London marathons - in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2001. In recent years, she has established herself as a TV presenter - including BBC TWO's From the Edge disability magazine programme.

Born in Cardiff in 1969, Tanni was named Carys Davina. However, when her sister first saw her she called her "tiny" which stuck and became Tanni. Tanni was born with spina bifida but with the support of her parents she was always encouraged to be independent. Tanni attended her local primary school – at first using crutches and callipers and then a wheelchair. She progressed to St. Cyres Comprehensive School and subsequently obtained an honours degree in Politics at Loughborough University.

She is now Britain's best-known Paralympic athlete, having performed at world-class level, in distances ranging from 100m to the marathon. Tanni's career has taken her around the world to every major international event. Her 16 Paralympic medals including 11 golds, six gold medals in the London Marathon and her comprehensive set of British and World Records make her achievements second to none in the disability sport arena.

Tanni has received numerous accolades and awards in recognition of her Paralympic and sporting achievements, she was awarded third place in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2000, has become BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year three times, taken the title 'Welsh Woman of the Year' and many more. In 2000 Tanni was decorated with the OBE in the Millennium New Years Honours List in honour of her services to sport and in 2004 was awarded a Dame hood.

Tanni is member of the Laureus World Sports alongside such sporting legends as Pele, Jack Nicklaus, Michael Jordan, Boris Becker, Ed Moses, placing her firmly alongside the world's leading sporting celebrities.

Alongside this impressive list of sporting and media achievements Tanni has been active in the administration, management and politics of sport. She has lobbied and promoted many issues and causes associated with disability sport and disability in general, resulting in a much higher profile for sports for people with disabilities, and improved access and understanding of the people and sports involved.

Currently Tanni plays an active role within disability athletics as the Assistant Head of the Potential Programme, which has the responsibility for recognising and developing young disabled athletes to form the nucleus of a squad for the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.

Tanni is articulate and well informed; and is an exceptional conference and motivational speaker. She is at ease talking to schoolchildren or professionals and one of her greatest achievements must be in making people more aware of disability and what can be accomplished with will-power, determination and the support of a loving family.

Tanni has now retired from International competition and lives in Redcar with her husband, Dr. Ian Thompson and their daughter Carys, who was born in February 2002.

Carys Davina "Tanni" Grey-Thompson, Baroness Grey-Thompson, DBE (born 26 July 1969 in Cardiff, Wales) is a Welsh former athlete, and currently is a parliamentarian and TV presenter. Grey-Thompson was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. She is considered to be one of the most successful disabled athletes in the UK. She graduated from Loughborough University in 1991 with a BA(Hons) in Politics and Social Administration. She was christened Carys Davina Grey, but her sister referred to her as "tiny" when she first saw her, pronouncing it "tanni", and the name stuck.

Athletic career

Tanni Grey-Thompson's Paralympic career started in the 100m at the Junior National Games for Wales in 1984. Her international career began in 1988 in Seoul, where she won a bronze medal in the 400m. As a young athlete she also competed in wheelchair basketball. Her fifth and last Paralympic Games were in Athens (2004) where she won two gold medals in wheelchair racing in the 100m and 400m. In total in her Paralympic career she won 16 medals (11 gold, four silver and a bronze) and also 13 World Championship medals (six gold, five silver and two bronze). On 28 February 2007 she announced her pending retirement, with her last appearance for Great Britain at May's Paralympic World Cup in Manchester. Over her career she won a total of 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 golds, held over 30 world records, and won the London Marathon six times between 1992 and 2002.

Personal life

Grey-Thompson lives in Eaglescliffe and is married to Dr Ian Thompson. They have one daughter, Carys. [edit]Paralympic World Cup medals

Year	Event	Position 2005	100 m	1st 2005	400 m	1st 2007	200 m	2nd

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

July 2012
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