yoocan - Thomas Winkler - Why Not Skate with a Prosthetic Leg?
SPORTS, FITNESS & DANCE

Why Not Skate with a Prosthetic Leg?

Amputee

Thomas Winkler

The Accident That Caused Me To have a prosthetic leg

Hello, my name is Thomas Winkler and I am 29 years old from Bautzen, Germany. I have recently moved with my wife to Austria. My passion is skateboarding. At the age of 12, I started playing sports because I found it interesting to try something new and my friends had also found pleasure in the sport. I did not know until then how popular skateboarding had become. I had a motorcycle accident at the age of 19 where my left leg had to be amputated. I started rehab and now have a prosthetic leg. This disability has never stopped me from living my life, playing sports, and having passion.

I am the only German skateboarder with a prosthetic leg

I was discovered on Facebook in 2014 by David Lebuser. He's a WCMX rider, which means a wheelchair motocross rider. He skates with a wheelchair in skate parks! It really fascinated me that even wheelchair sports are possible, so why not skate with a prosthetic leg? Since then, I am the only German skateboarder with a prosthetic leg. It really makes me proud to be a role model for people with disabilities interested in skating.

#GoFundMe for New Prosthetic Leg

I have launched a #gofundme, hoping I will eventually get the healthcare I need to continue skating. My current prosthesis is too high for jumps, and health insurance companies do not approve of the desired care I need. The cost is 10,000 euros, which I cannot afford.

In May 2017, I had a prosthetic leg from Ottobock tested. This special carbon spring enabled me to improve my jumps because it is more flexible and had higher load capacity. I have tested this and was visited by a YouTuber from Switzerland @Fabian Doerig who is a skateboarder. He accompanied me for a week in Austria and we skated in Vienna together.

I hope nobody gives up in life no matter how difficult their situation is because it can only get better again. A physical disability is an obstacle which you have to learn to overcome. It would help me if you could make a small donation by clicking on the link below:

https: //www.gofundme.com/thomas-leg prosthesis-supply
**This GoFundMe was launched by my friend (Instagram: @tomcat_skate)

Thank you!

Tags: , , ,

EMPOWER OTHERS!

Share this story to help change someone's life

WELCOME TO YOOCAN

THE GLOBAL COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY FOR SHARING EXPERIENCES AND KNOWLEDGE BY AND FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, SO NO ONE FEELS ALONE.

BY CREATING AN ACCOUNT YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS OF SERVICE ANDPRIVACY POLICY.