‘Blade runner’ statue for station
AN eye-catching ‘blade runner’ statue is to be installed at New Street Station to mark the Commonwealth Games.
The statue, made from half a ton of stainless steel, will be installed over the course of three months after being designed by para athlete Ben Pearson and sculptor Jacob Chandler, both of whom live with debilitating health conditions.
It is believed it will be the only public sculpture on display in the UK to allude to disability.
The statue, named “One Giant Leap for Humankind”, will be installed on the station’s eastern plaza, between June 19 and September 5.
Mr Person suffered a traumatic fracture to both his tibia and fibula while playing rugby for Ealing Trailfinders.
After a year of unsuccessful rehabilitation he had an amputation below the knee.
The life-changing surgery tore his career from him, as well as his self-image and independence. He later changed discipline from rugby player to become a 100-metre para sprinter.
He received support from his old rugby club and the Matt Hampson
Foundation, founded by the former England Under-21 rugby international, who was left paralysed from the neck down after a scrum collapsed during a training session.
Both organisations helped towards the cost of his blades, everyday legs and physio, but there is still a massive funding gap.
Mr Pearson said he hoped the sculpture would raise awareness of the need for more funding in this area.
Sculptor Mr Chandler said he hoped the piece would bring attention to the trauma and struggle para athletes faced.
He suffers from colitis and a rare genetic condition, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Describing his health as “always on a knife edge”, crippling fatigue and pain leave him unable to leave the house at times.
The collagen in his body is so faulty that in order to sculpt, he had to wear finger and wrist braces to hold his joints in place as he built supporting muscles, through diligent physiotherapy.
He said: “I find these athletes hugely inspirational. They often face trauma, agony, destruction of their self image and loss of their career prospects and endure financial hardships but they come out fighting.”