Out of a Coma, Back on Track

Posted August 1, 2007, 7:00 pm in Track & Field
Credit Growing Bolder Staff

In November 2003, 76-year-old World Masters Track Champion Sumi Onodera-Leonard was in her car when another car crossed the median and hit her head on, killing her two dogs, shattering her heel, breaking multiple bones and leaving her in a coma.

Days later, she awoke and told doctors who thought she'd never walk again that she wanted to race again. "I had to learn to walk from scratch. And after lots of therapy I was able to walk again, very slowly," she told Growing Bolder. "As soon as I could walk I started going for deep-water training and that's what really helped get my body back to muscular shape. But it was a very slow process."

And now, at the age of 79, she is back on the track. Well, almost.

"I've lost a lot of that speed. I'm still working on it. It's almost wishful thinking to get back to where I was previously. I'm just very thankful that I'm able to race," she said.

She said the support of friends and family was a big boost. Instead of insisting she give her sport up, they helped encourage her to fight through the pain of her therapy.

During her recovery, her husband was right by her side. He even cooked her meals. She joked that eating them was the most difficult part of the ordeal!

"He said, 'You can quit if you want, but if you still want to race, go ahead, I'll support you!'"

She's trying to put the past behind her. Now, it's all about the future.

"I am looking forward to the international competition this year in Italy. Two years from now, at the age of 81, I intend to be in the international games in Finland," she told Growing Bolder.

"I think the moral of my story is to decide that you want to do a specific thing. For me, my goal was to continue running, racing, competing and traveling. And holding onto hope, that's what helped with my recovery. I might not win like I used to, but that's fine with me. As long as I can continue to run and race, that's what I want to do."

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