Blog post 5

1.  Oscar pistorius is a role model to many, but aside from his sporting career Oscar has helped people from all around the world. As Oscar mentions in his book, “Today, my main goal in life alongside my sporting goals is to help others” (Pistorius 116).  First of all,  Oscar is ambassador of the Mine Seeker Foundation, this initiative is dedicated to the “detection, identification and removal of land-mines” the goal is to help those who have been affected by land-mines by rehabilitating the land mines, helping the people, and shaping a future for them . He would also like to build his own nongovernmental organization to assist African amputees both financially and otherwise. He himself knows how expensive the limbs can be, therefore he wants to find a way to manufacture them at a lower cost.  Another campaign he supports was called the chaeli campaign formed by five nine-year-old girls of which one was born with cerebral palsy and degenerative neuropathy (she needed a wheelchair), therefore the girls made chocolate slabs which they sold and in 2 weeks they raised 20000 grand which was more than needed, they kept this going and they now donate the money to charities. One may say these projects don’t help anyone, yet if no one is going to take care of the people with these disabilities then they may never achieve their dreams. Pistorius also took part in a project by UNICEF called ‘ International Inspiration’ which is a pledge linked to the London 2012 games, the purpose was to reach young people and connect them to the inspirational nature of games. Lastly, it is fine for celebrities to donate money to as many foundations and charities as they want, but Oscar Pistorius doesn’t just donate, he takes these projects to heart, gets to know the people and really puts all his efforts into changing people’s lives for the better. He has been helping disabled by being there for them, but also showing them one can achieve their dreams no matter what. He is the first double leg amputee to run alongside non-disabled athletes. After all, he has contributed to the world by forming new foundations, sponsoring others and being someone a lot of people look up to.

2. Reading I found out many things about Oscar and some of the interesting unique facts include:

• he has a strong bond with Italy. He won gold at the golden gala and achieved one of his best times as well as he was in Italy when he received the answer from the court whether he would be able to run along normal body athletes.
• Oscar Pistorius has been wearing the same blades since 2004 because they are so good. He even had other athletes try them and none of them had achieved such good times. One quote I found really amusing was : "...and it's not like other athletes get asked about their shoes all the time and whether they get an advantage from them or not."- he is right, just because one doesn't have feet and has to run in prostheses doesn't mean he has an advantage.
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3. Oscar Pistorius hasn't won any peace prices etc. however many medals and has contributed in many foundations. Some of his medals:
In his running career for now he won 23 gold medals, 6 silver and 1 bronze. Also he made 7 world records and 2 paralympic records. In all he has competed in places from Italy to South Africa, Japan and Greece.

4.Oscar pistorius born on the 22nd Novemeber 1986 is still alive, he has not died yet and has a future ahead of himself. Recently he has killed his girlfriend and is facing court, however he himself is still alive.

Book: Blade Runner
Author: Oscar Pistorius
 Genre: Autobiography
Pages: 222

I finished the book. From my reading I have discovered many facts about him such as where he grew up, how he grew up, his achievements, what he has done for the world etc. It's really amazing how much a race can make one nervous. As Oscar mentions in one of his chapters, he entered in a room once in Bejing just before the race, he could feel the tension and nervousness in the runners, yet they were all trying to be calm, as he says, "I reckon any sprinter could win an Oscar for their acting skills in that waiting room" (Pistorius 175). The book ends happily, Oscar switches to telling the reader about his now-a-day life, he lives in a big house with wide doors so anyone even in a wheelchair can pass. He has 2 dogs, a pit-bull terrier and a bull-terrier with which he has a great bond, he remains close to his family and tries to make the best out of his life. The last line of the book, "When all is said and done, life and running are so very much alike"(Pistorius 194).
                                           (Running in the 2008 Bejing Paralmpics)