14 DAY TRIAL // Any person who runs a marathon is understandably proud of their achievement, but for John Tartaglio the feat is all the more impressive as he did it without legs.
John Tartaglio managed to cross the finish line at the New York City Marathon in 2009 and became the first ever double, full-leg amputee to run the marathon without a wheelchair. He completed the challenge in 15 hours and 59 minutes.
Tartaglio has always had a passion for sports. He played baseball and football in school, but his life changed in the summer of 2004, when a rare bacterial disease robbed him of both his legs and his left bicep.
On August 22, 2004, John awoke with unbearable pain in his legs. It turned out he had contracted an extremely rare bacterial infection which had been documented only 35 times before. Doctors were forced to amputate both of his legs in order to save his life.
After years of hard work, John managed to overcome his disability, went on to graduate from Fairfield University with honors, got married and even became a father.
Tartaglio is now an inspirational speaker and has written a book, titled “From Tragedy to Triumph.”
“I try and empower people to do what means the most to them. I use my life story to tell them you can achieve anything you want. I tell them my goal was to live a normal life,” he says.