KIDS  COMPETE

Meningitis Survivor to Keynote at Games

By Matthew Skolnick

This year’s Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged will see a record number of competitors, 1242 in total, May 29 through 31.

The Games will be held at Mitchel Athletic Complex, Uniondale, and Nassau Community College, Garden City and will include track and field events, swimming, slalom obstacle courses, table tennis and archery for children ages five through 21.

The keynote speaker at opening ceremonies will be runner Mike Laforgia.

In December 2004, Laforgia was running in his second New York City marathon.

One month after his completion of that marathon, he was in his local hospital’s intensive care unit with his organs failing as a result of bacterial meningitis.

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After being transferred to Stony Brook University Medical Center, Laforgia was being heavily sedated and placed on a respirator. With more than a week of powerful antibiotics in him, Laforgia was able to open his eyes and was taken off of the respirator. Laforgia spent a total of two months at Stony Brook, and five months in a rehab hospital. Unlike many others, Laforgia was able to survive this disease without losing the majority of his limbs. He only lost his toes on his left foot and most of his right foot. However, a year later after struggling to maintain being mobile, Laforgia elected to have his right leg amputated. In July of 2006 he received his first prosthetic leg and a few months later he had his first running foot and leg.

Today, he works at J.P. Morgan Chase in their auto finance division and is a technology project manager. Since his illness he has competed in triathlons, as well as 5K and 10K races. Laforgia feels that his decision to have the amputation was one of what he calls “potential versus limit. The surgery provided potential for me, that I might be able to do more. I am not the athlete I was, but I can have the same thrills doing the same things. It’s given me my life back,” said Laforgia.

He has also done what he can to give back to his community by mentoring triathlon groups as well as teaching others about how destructive meningitis can be. “I am on the National Meningitis Association Advisory Board where I help advocate for vaccines that are proven to be safe.” He feels the most important thing that everyone can learn from his experience is that “if people stick to it they can achieve their goals. We shouldn’t perceive any preset limits. I hope I am a good example for people to not give up on their dreams. I feel that because of my experience I am stronger in character and perseverance,” said Laforgia.

In terms of his next goal, Laforgia is eagerly anticipating the Olympic distance triathlon in New York City this July. There, he will be competing against several thousand athletes of all levels of ability.

Laforgia is also looking forward to watching this year’s Empire State Games after his speech. When it comes to his keynote address he feels “absolutely overwhelmed and honored. From what I have heard about the event it seems like a special event made up of very special people. It is a great honor and privilege.” During his address, Laforgia will aim to impress that anything is possible and that people with disabilities are capable of great things both inside and outside of athletics.