Young Richmond amputee meets Paralympians

SAN MATEO, Calif. (KGO) -- There is a happy ending to what seemed like a difficult and painful story when we first reported it this past spring. You may remember the young man who chose to have his foot amputated because it caused him so much pain. We caught up with him Thursday at the College of San Mateo.

It's an oval track; and this weekend, it's the center of the universe for a few among us adapting to what they call a new normal.

"When troubles come your way you need to consider it an opportunity for joy," said Paralympian Jarryd Wallace.

There will no feel sorry for oneself when the United States Paralympic Track and Field Championship comes to the College of San Mateo this weekend, just a lot of inspiration.

"Foots are stupid," said Amit Vigoda.

Does he look familiar? A few months ago we told you the story of Amit, a kid from Richmond who chose to have his right foot amputated after a rare disease caused excruciating chronic pain.

"It felt like someone hitting me with a hammer," he said.

Not anymore. The foot is now gone, replaced by opportunity, as Amit and his family see it.

"Courage he doesn't need, he has plenty of courage," said his mother Zimra Vigoda. When asked what he needs she answered, "Perseverance."

Hence his visit to the workouts on Thursday and chats with world class athletes like sprinters Jarryd Wallace and Jerome Singleton Jr. The three have a lot in common.

"Just because you have your leg amputated, don't think of it as an ending," Singleton said. "It's a beginning."

Amit aspires to play wheelchair basketball. On Thursday he got up-close examples of the work and dedication it takes to be a world class athlete at this level.

The idea was to give Amit a pep talk. Watching him, though, you get the feeling the kid doesn't need it.

When asked what he's learned from all the athletes, Amit answered, "That it's okay to have a disability. It's the same thing, like having no disability, it's just you have something special that makes you different."

Who needs a foot when a kid has so much heart?