WATCH VIDEO: Swimmer takes on Midmar Mile for PinkDrive
American, Craig Dietz has no arms or legs, but still he chose to take on the Midmar Mile for charity.
Swimming 12 kilometres may seem a challenge to any person, but doing it when you have neither arms nor legs seems unheard of.
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American Craig Dietz managed to achieve this when he swam the Midmar Mile for the second time.
Dietz was born in 1974 with no limbs.
He decided to put one of his greatest passions to work and swim for a cause close to his heart, PinkDrive.
PinkDrive is an organisation that offers medical services to men and women cancer patients who are not on medical aid.
The service is offered from mobile clinics.
CEO and founder of PinkDrive, Noelene Kotschan said that it costs about R10 – 12 million to build one mobile unit.
“He is such an inspiration to me. After knowing him, I will find it extremely difficult to say that I can’t do something,” said Kotschan adding that Dietz needed a positive attitude to overcome his challenges, much like cancer patients.
Dietz said that he heard about PinkDrive when he swam his first Midmar Mile in 2013 from swimmers raising funds for the cause.
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“The weather was so nice. There is nothing like this swim in the States.”
He said that he managed seven out of the eight miles (12 kilometres) on 11 and 12 February.
Dietz swims with the aid of rubber finds which he fits to one of his stumps for leverage, then swims on his back to breathe easily.
“The stump scratched against the fin and a hole started to form.”
He also had some struggles with his blood pressure.
“I like the motto of Midmar Mile – ‘just keep swimming.’ Such important advice, but so simple. Do not give up.”
Dietz, who is also a motivational speaker, spoke at the Mediclinic Muelmed Hospital’s rehabilitation centre on 15 February to inspire patients facing some of whom have had limbs amputated.
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