WILK Rafal

Classification
H4 (uci.org, 29 Mar 2021)

Type of Impairment
Spinal Cord Injuries (tvp.pl, 28 Feb 2013)

Origin of Impairment
Acquired (tvp.pl, 28 Feb 2013)

Impairment Details
He has paraplegia as the result of a speedway accident during a race in 2006. (tvp.pl, 28 Feb 2013)

General
FIRST STEPS
In the early part of 2017 he took his first steps following his accident in 2006. "A clinic was testing an exoskeleton and one of my colleagues asked me if I would like to try it. They were looking for someone who had never used one before, to make the tests relevant. So I put it on, I stood up and I walked. It was fantastic. Suddenly the world looks completely different. I stood on my feet and immediately my horizons expanded. It is something beautiful." (przegladsportowy.pl, 15 Apr 2017)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
He has set up a charitable organisation called 'There is one sport - Rafal Wilk Foundation', which supports Para athletes fighting to achieve their sporting dreams and goals. He was also the subject of a film titled 'Rafal Wilk - A Man of Iron' that presented the story of his life before and after his accident. (sportjestjeden.org, 2016; tvp.pl, 06 Nov 2014)

TWO BIRTHDAYS
He decided to celebrate the date of his accident - 03 May 2006 - as his second birthday. "I celebrate my birthday twice a year. On day of my actual birthday on 09 December, and on every anniversary of my accident. On that day I was re-born. My new life started, so I celebrate two birthdays." (wp.pl, 09 Dec 2020)