News

A Determined Marine Finishes wheelchair challenge

Nothing was going to stop Marine Corporal Andy Purchase from going the distance for the troops.  Last year, Purchase was able to run the Boilermaker, but after being hospitalized three months ago due to a degenerative birth defect in his vertebrae, he knew he wasn’t going to be able to run again. 

As part of his recovery, he began aquatic therapy at Sitrin’s Rehabilitation Center where he met Marc DePerno, Director of Sitrin’s STARS (Success Through Adaptive Recreation and Sports) program. As a Marine, it wasn’t unusual for Purchase to do a 10-mile run with a 100-pound backpack.  Therefore, getting back into shape was very important to him.  

“I couldn’t function normally,” said Purchase. “The wheelchair is the only thing that doesn’t hurt my back, and helps me with my fitness goals.”

In addition to his birth defect, Purchase was severely injured during his service as part of Operation Desert Storm.  He was shot in the head and neck, and declared disabled.

Sitrin sponsors the Wheelchair Challenge, which challenges participants to finish the wheelchair division of the Boilermaker in less than two hours and 15 minutes in a standard wheelchair.  If a participant finishes in that time frame, he or she wins a custom racing wheelchair.

Purchase didn’t meet the time frame required for the challenge, but being trained as a Marine, he was determined to finish.  He completed the race after a grueling four hours and 35 minutes of pushing!  But, he didn’t do it alone.  After finishing the race herself, Tammy Delano (STARS participant) went back on the course and supported him in the challenge from mile seven to the finish line.  The remaining wheelchair committee members and support staff put the finish line back together, and a large group cheered him on as he finished with family and fellow service members by his side.  Purchase was also escorted by police and fire officers, as well as several runners. 

In recognition of his success and valiant effort, Sitrin announced it would still award Purchase with a racing chair.

According to Marc DePerno, STARS Director, “Andy demonstrated the motivation and attitude the competition is designed to show; he’s everything a challenger should be.”

Top