Biking for a Buddy: Fundraiser Helps FAMS Student Who Lost Leg

He describes it as a freak accident: Waterskiing at Lake George over a family Fourth of July vacation. As Jack Wallace matter-of-factly relays the story of how he lost his leg in a boating accident in 2008, he sounds remarkably more mature than his years. Change the subject to sports, and he's just a regular 12-year-old boy.

Adapting to regular life after limb loss has its challenges. But thanks to Camp No Limits, the FAMS students is playing sports and riding bikes like any other 12-year-old.

"At the camp, everyone is like me, missing limbs," he said of Camp No Limits, which has locations in Maine, California, Idaho, Florida and Missouri. "I went the first summer, and saw others doing things I thought I couldn't do. It showed me that I could do it."

On Saturday, the community came out for a Bike-A-Thon to raise funds for him to attend the camp again this summer. It will be his third year attending the camp, and the Wallace families' second bike-a-thon to help with the costs. 

Life with a missing leg, the FAMS student told Patch, is something you just get used to. His biggest challenge: getting refit for a new prosthetic as he grows, a process he's in the middle of now. To test a new socket, he goes back on crutches and has to relearn to adapt to it. 

"It's a day to day thing," he explained. "Some days are good, some days are not so good. It's constantly adapting."

Friday, he admitted, was a rough day on the new leg, but he woke up Saturday morning feeling great and enthusiastic about the Bike-A-Thon. 

Despite the damp weather, a few dozen friends and family members came to attended the event, which was cosponsored by the Mayor's Wellness Program. Participants did laps around Municipal Field behind Borough Hall—one supporter, Evan Prizzi, took 75 spins around the field. 

So far, the event raised $3,000 this year, and $4,000 last year. To donate or for more information, go to www.nolimitsfoundation.org.