Running
The day David Mzee sent a powerful message of hope
When David Mzee rose from his wheelchair and walked across the Wings for Life World Run start line, he inspired people across the globe.
The snapshot:
The scene on May 5, 2019 of David Mzee launching the Wings for Life World Run global charity running race in Zug, Switzerland alongside 120,000 other runners around the world was a moment he was told could never happen. A tragic gymnastics accident in 2010 left him paralysed with a spinal cord injury and no hope of ever walking again.
1 min
David Mzee walks the Wings for Life World Run
David Mzee helped launch the 2019 Wings for Life World Run on Sunday May 5 by getting up from his wheelchair to walk over the start line in the Swiss town of Zug.
Never ever giving up:
Mzee had gone through nine years of relentless rehabilitation and emotions were high as he stepped up from his wheelchair and walked 390m over a 30-minute period before being caught by the Catcher Car.
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The groundbreaking research:
Mzee embarked on a trial with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) in Switzerland, which was backed by the Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation.
The electrical stimulation treatment he received called STIMO (Stimulation Movement Overground) involves electrodes targeting specific areas of the spine and nervous system to 'boost' signals the brain sends for voluntary movement of the legs.
2 min
David Mzee explains how he was able to walk again
After a triple-flip in a gym session in 2010 went badly wrong, David Mzee was paralysed – but thanks to a groundbreaking trial he's now ready to walk across the Wings for Life World Run start line.
The legacy:
With his courage and bravery, Mzee gave hope of a better future for all spinal cord injury sufferers and became the embodiment of what the race is all about. "It's exciting to see that people are touched and inspired by my story and especially in the beginning, with all the people passing by and clapping, that was overwhelming."
Pre-register for 2021
September 5 is Spinal Cord Injury Day, held every year with the intention of increasing awareness amongst the general public. Follow Mzee's inspiring lead by pre-registering for next year's Wings for Life World Run, which is scheduled for May 9, 2021 and run with thousands around the world for those who can’t.
Find out more and register for Wings for Life World Run 2022 here.
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