Thousands will line the starting line for a noble cause: Thomas, who has a disability, revealed the intricacies of his running

Reserve soldier, “Wings for life world run” ambassador Tomas Šiliauskas assured that running “WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN” is primarily a hope to get back on his feet.

“I have been confined to a wheelchair for many years. Science is moving forward, but that breakthrough is still missing. Therefore, this run is an opportunity for people to contribute to it”, said the man in the program “Delfi diena”.

Although he currently moves with the help of a wheelchair, according to the interviewer, he was also active and ran a lot before that.

“So not much has changed. That’s what I’m doing now, only in a different way,” said Tom, who will participate in the WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN.

He said the life-changing accident happened in October 2010 while participating in a motocross race.

“That time, the technician had to quickly make an uncomfortable decision – to leave the track. After that, I turned over unsuccessfully, broke my spine and it will be 14 years since I sat in a wheelchair,” revealed T. Šiliauskas.

The man, when asked if medicine could help him get back on his feet, did not make bold predictions about himself.

“I’m not a doctor, but these days, when things are moving so fast, there’s no ‘no’ and anything is possible. To what extent this is possible would depend on the doctors, my health condition. I can already feel the changes since I got into the wheelchair: how much I can do. Society’s attitude is also changing, a person with a disability is no longer a taboo. Of course, we would like to pay even more attention to such people, but it is the way it is,” emphasized Tom.

Songwriter and producer Artūras Matkevičius-DJ Mamania, who participated in the “Delfi diena” show, is also going to participate in the “WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN” run on Sunday. He has been promoting this sport for about 12 years.

“I’m not a fan of crowds or crowds, so I avoid such events. I had to run a half marathon and a marathon because I wanted to fulfill my dream. There are really a lot of events and I like to run alone. This run “WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN” really provides a unique opportunity to run not only with others, but also alone,” said DJ Mamania.

In order to be able to participate in the run, one only needs to download the “Wings For Life World Run” mobile application, register and start with the whole world on May 5, Sunday, at 2 p.m. In 2023, 206,728 participants ran, and this year there is not much left to surpass this number.

According to DJ Mamania, this event is not only a fun pastime, but also has a noble purpose.

“Runners who pay the entry fee give the money to people who need it. They are allocated for medical research, with the help of which people with disabilities could stand on their feet”, said the interviewer of the show.

Tom, who has mobility impairments, has revealed how he intends to run on Sunday. A man has a device that, when attached to a wheelchair, allows him to cover more kilometers more easily. According to him, some people with mobility disabilities travel the distance simply with a wheelchair, while there are also those who use adapted tricycles.

“There are different ways of running. In that run, you forget about your problems for a while, because you are in motion, in a team where jokes prevail, the desire to catch up, to overtake. If a goal is set, then you want to improve it. This year, I don’t have a strict (ed. past – goal) yet. Everything will depend on how you feel that day,” said T. Šiliauskas, who plans to cover at least 20 kilometers this year.