Janice Peterson

A 65-year-old man will be running in the Provo 5k for the Fourth of July this year. Not much of a feat, unless you only have one leg. Tom Napierski of Payson lost his leg in 2005 and got his first prosthetic in March 2006. Less than four months later, he ran in the 1 mile Mayor's Fun Run in Provo. In 2007 he upped his goal to the 5k Freedom Run, and this year he will continue his quest to show there is no excuse for giving up.

Napierski was only 18 years old when he said poor decisions changed his life. After drinking with some friends, he and his brother knocked over a large log they had been using as a bridge in the Sierras. The log came down much quicker than they expected, crushing Napierski's left leg above the ankle.

"There were no cell phones to call for help, no life flight, no search and rescue," he said.

After 42 years and eight surgeries, Napierski had his leg amputated in 2005. His daughter, Whitney Woydziak, had worked in health care for eight years, often with amputees, and she knew the depression that could result. The patients with bad attitudes and who were not active did not recover as quickly as others, and Woydziak said she thought it would be important for her father to set goals.

Woydziak and her siblings grew up in Orem, and the Provo Fourth of July parade and races were common events for the family. Although her father was not very athletic before the amputation, she encouraged him to run in the 1 mile race in Provo. In 2007, she convinced him to run the 5k, though Napierski admits he was not fond of the idea. As he thought of taking breaks, she ran backwards ahead of him, encouraging him to keep going.

Napierski said he slowed to a walk at times during the 3.2 mile race, but the accomplishment was more important to him.

"It's start and finish, not win," he said.

He will run in the Freedom Run today, and Napierski said he has been training for the race. He ran two miles and walked one Wednesday, and Napierski said the endeavor isn't easy.

"I know I'm 65 by the time I've run that," he said.

But despite the difficulty, Napierski said he is not one to give up. He prepares for the race by collecting his first aid supplies in case he has trouble with the leg and keeps his cell phone and driver's license with him in case of any injury.

"So many people tend to give up, and I guess I'm more of a fighter," he said.

Since the amputation, Napierski has embarked on several new endeavors, including joining a two-man bobsled team and speaking to youth about making good decisions. The bobsled team is one of two disabled teams in the world, and Napierski and the National Ability Center are working to get the sport added to the Paralympics.

Napierski's bobsled team currently races against able-bodied teams and finished 15th of 16 in the Americas Cup in January. The two disabled teams finished last, a mere four seconds behind the winner.

"It's not that it's unfair, it's just their ball game and we're playing on their field," he said.

Woydziak said her family sometimes jokes that the amputation has been the best thing to happen to their father. He was never interested in sports, but is constantly involved in athletic endeavors now. He has also used his experience to try to help others, whether it be by encouraging disabled people or speaking to youth about avoiding bad decisions.

"He's loving life," she said. "He's more active now than he's ever been in his entire life."

Napierski's wife, Sandi, said the family is happy for Tom and the uplifting activities he has chosen. The best part is not the accolades he receives, but the difference he can make teaching youth. When he takes his leg off and puts it to the side while giving a talk, she said her husband is able to catch the attention of youth and send a positive message.

"He's just real tickled with this, and we're glad he's found some enjoyment in these last golden years," she said.