Blind Marathon Runner Finishes 134th In A Field of 37,000 In NY Marathon
In 1999 Henry Wanyoike took part in mobility trainings supported by CBM
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- Henry Wanyoike runs together with a guide, like in Hamburg, Germany, last year, together with Joseph Kibunja (Kenya). © CBM
With a time of 2:40:14, Henry Wanyoike was the first blind runner across the line at the New York City Marathon on Sunday Nov. 5th. The CBM ambassador of charity from Kenya was just outside of his world record time for blind runners that he set at the 2005 London Marathon.
Henry Wanyoike’s story begins in Kenya – where he was being groomed to join an elite team of runners. But at the age of 21, he had a stroke that left him blind.
Henry Wanyoike’s story begins in Kenya – where he was being groomed to join an elite team of runners. But at the age of 21, he had a stroke that left him blind.
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In 1997 Henry Wanyoike had himself checked in the Kikuyu low vision programme. In 1999 he started courses at the Technical Institute for the Blind. There, he learned Braille reading and knitting. CBM supports the local partner the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) in offering these services.
Later, Henry became a successful professional runner - he won the Gold medal at Paralympics 2000. © CBM
Training in CBM-supported Kikuyu Eye Hospital
Rather than surrendering to his condition, Wanyoike entered a program for the blind at the Kikuyu Eye Hospital in Kenya, financially supported by CBM. This was in 1999.
There, he received training to help him become self-sufficient without sight. Due to his own experiences, Wanyoike promised himself he would help other blind people to become independent.
Since then, he has bought knitting machines through prize money and charitable donations. He now employs other blind Kenyans and teaches them how to knit pullovers whenever he isn’t running.
Further information at the 100,000 Miracles website of CBM's member association CBMI USA.
There, he received training to help him become self-sufficient without sight. Due to his own experiences, Wanyoike promised himself he would help other blind people to become independent.
Since then, he has bought knitting machines through prize money and charitable donations. He now employs other blind Kenyans and teaches them how to knit pullovers whenever he isn’t running.
Further information at the 100,000 Miracles website of CBM's member association CBMI USA.
