A man missing his limbs is getting ready to run a 2-mile race in August and it means the world to his family and friends.
Gary Miracle of Rockledge, Florida, has run many races in his life and now he is getting ready to run a 2-mile race even though he’s missing both arms and legs.
His life has always had a strong sports component to it as he ran relay in high school and later coached youth soccer and football, but he faced the biggest challenge of his life in 2019 when he almost died.
“Super long story short, I got really sick on New Year’s Day, fell into septic shock and coded,” he said. “A cardiovascular surgeon happened to be doing her rounds and saw what was happening. She was in my room immediately.”
This picture was taken one year ago today at 8:38AM. Nobody knew what to expect as this day went on…
But God.
This…
Posted by Gary Miracle Dos on Thursday, 7 January 2021
The surgeon then put him on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine which kept him alive, but at the cost of his limbs.
Miracle stayed in the hospital for 117 days and had the amputations, but people were praying for him and making donations through his GoFundMe.
The band MercyMe was one of his big supporters as he had worked with them back in the day as a crewmember. They lifted him up to God in prayer and shared about him on social media. He also featured in their 2020 song “Say I Won’t.”
Posted by Gary Miracle Dos on Monday, 26 April 2021
Miracle doesn’t want people to feel sorry for him but wants them to see the blessings in his situation, though most people wouldn’t be able to. “At the end of the day, we all have our struggles,” he said. “Mine are just more visible.”
“From the moment I came home, my wife and I have prayed for purpose. I could have lost my (hands and feet), but I could have lost everything. Now I get emails from people across the world, people who want to tell their stories, and the most humbling part is that God has kept me in this position, a position in which I am able to speak and listen.”
Such an honor!
Posted by Gary Miracle Dos on Thursday, 5 August 2021
“Everyone has my permission to stare and ask questions. If I can show 7- or 8-year-old kids another side of life, to show them that they can overcome all obstacles, I’m happy. You know that scene in ‘Rocky’ where he runs to the top of the steps and raises his arms? I want each of my kids to have that Rocky moment.”
Miracle hasn’t let what he’s been through dictate his future, he got fitted for prosthetics and ran his first mile in June. He has done his best training for the 2-miler in August to run with a group that have promised to run with him.
Today, @garymiracledos ran for the very first time using the AlterG treadmill! After running a half mile, feeling exhausted, he asked pro football player @eliharold_ for a “lift” out. Having a fun Friday at POA! #poaorlando #running #prosthetics #amputee #antigravity #alterg #treadmill #sayiwont #mercyme #friday #fridayfeels #todayitallbegan
Posted by Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates (POA) on Friday, 25 June 2021
Miracle has ordered for and sold shirts emblazoned with #SAYIWONT and prays for a good turnout at the race. He has his sense of humor intact while understanding that there’s a lot of work ahead.
“Yeah, you don’t usually see guys without arms and legs (in footraces),” he said. “I said I will be ready for my first race. I will.”
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