Blind, Active Duty Soldier Competes in Marathon

Bank of America Chicago Marathon Feature:

Blind United States Army, 11B Infantryman, Steve Baskis, Rises to the Challenge

at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 11

On May 13, 2008, Steve Baskis’ life changed forever when he was injured in combat by a roadside bomb in Iraq.  A piece of shrapnel cut through his temple, taking out both of his eyes and leaving him blind.  Still an active duty soldier, Baskis will be one of the 45,000 participants who will line up at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 11 to motivate others with disabilities and to inspire all who run with him and cheer him on “to live a little more.”

Steve Baskis Leaves His Mark

“Living as a blind person is hard,” Steve Baskis says, “but not impossible.”  Baskis lost his vision over a year ago during combat operations in Iraq.  The roadside bomb that stole his vision also claimed the life of his friend, Staff Sergeant Victor M. Cota.  In memory of Cota and in honor of his combat squad, Baskis will run on October 11 to prove that even though his friend and his vision has been taken away from him, nothing can steal away his “fighting spirit and love for life.”

Fueling Baskis’ quest to inspire others with disabilities and to live a healthy life is his hunger to give back to all of the people and organizations that have helped him.  “I must work harder,” says Baskis, “and help others because I have received so much help.  I hope that others like myself, military or not, will try to live a great life and give back to all who help them.”

Baskis’ drive to improve his health and embrace his blindness has captured the attention of many.  Award winning New York documentary director Joseph Lovett highlighted Baskis’ story in his independent documentary, Going Blind.  Going Blind is an independent work-in-progress with a mission to raise awareness about sight loss and low vision.  Funded wholly by contributions, the documentary will eventually be made available for free on DVD and on the web.

In addition to being featured in a documentary, Baskis is one of nine inspiring individuals celebrated in this year’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon advertising campaign.  Baskis’ image appears in several print materials and on a larger-than-life mural wall along the Kennedy Expressway at North Ave. in Chicago, Il.  Splashed across Baskis’ bib number are the words: “Steven Baskis is running to prove you can run even if you can’t see.”

When Baskis toes the line on October 11, he will also be running to discover where his new life, one he thought he would never experience, takes him.  He is currently training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and he hopes to someday make a paralympic team.

“Life can be hard sometimes,” Baskis says, “do your best and drive forward, never give up.”

Visit www.chicagomarathon.com/footprint to create a footprint and have Bank of America donate $1 to charity of your choice—without spending a cent of your own.