Doctor and young patient challenge each other to 5K run at Loma Linda University 8th Annual PossAbilities Triathlon

LOMA LINDA, CA., April 6, 2010 – A year after he lost part of his left leg in a train accident, Alex Garcia has since learned to walk. Now, he is setting his sights on something more challenging: finishing the 5K run of the upcoming Loma Linda University 8th Annual PossAbilities Triathlon.

Alex’s physician, Dr. Joan Le, is so confident of her patient that they have challenged each other to meet at the race’s starting line to see who will get to the finish line first.

“I like taking on challenges,” said Alex Garcia, 13, of San Bernardino. He said the race would be his most challenging physical test since re-learning to walk.

“All my patients inspire me, but Alex is something else,” said Dr. Le, a physiatrist (a physician who specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) at Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus. “He has a lot of heart and great determination to do his best.”

Hundreds of participants are expected to participate in the Loma Linda University 8th Annual PossAbilities Triathlon, a 5K run-walk-or-roll and kids’ triathlon, set for Sunday, April 25. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is presenting the event.

The triathlon is one of the main events hosted by Loma Linda University PossAbilities to encourage participants of all skill levels, especially those who are physically-challenged, like Alex.

Last year, Alex was in an accident when he and a friend tried to jump off a moving train. His friend was not seriously hurt, but Alex lost part of his left leg after it got caught on the train. In the past year, he received treatment and therapy at Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus, whose specialties include Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Alex, who was a star soccer player before the accident, had to re-learn how to walk using a prosthetic leg. A specially designed running leg has been built for him for the Triathlon.

He said he has been training for the triathlon by running in his backyard. Next year, he plans to do the biking and swimming segments of the race.

“I feel very happy because he has a lot of interest in sports,” said his mother, Rosalba Garcia. ‘He has a lot of will and excitement to do this and I think it will encourage him to live life like he did before.”

Photo Caption: Alex Garcia, 13, of San Bernardino, tries out his new running leg this week, with help from certified prosthetist Minh Tran (center) and Dr. Joan Le, at the Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus. Alex and Dr. Le have challenged each other to complete the 5K run of the Loma Linda University 8th Annual PossAbilities Triathlon, on April 25.

About the Loma Linda University 8th Annual PossAbilities Triathlon:

When: 7 a.m. Sunday, April 25. Online registration closes midnight on April 16. Onsite registration opens 5:30 a.m. on the day of the race.

Where: The race starts at 7 a.m., at the Drayson Center, 25040 Stewart St., Loma Linda, Calif.

Information: Call 909-558-6384

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About Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus (LLUMCEC)
Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus is 23-acre campus dedicated to providing a healing environment that offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient health-care services. East Campus includes a hospital with 118 licensed beds, two physician and diagnostic office buildings, and an ambulatory service center. Physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopaedics, neurosciences, and family medicine services are the specialties incorporated into the overarching goal of East Campus.