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Johannesburg - "Blade runner" Oscar Pistorius has told a small boy who has artificial legs like his to believe he is normal and to keep his sense of humour, Beeld reported on Friday.
Visiting four-year-old Kitso Mokolometsa at his home in Potchefstroom, Pistorius explained that artificial legs are difficult for children because they are carrying extra weight and it feels as though they are walking on stilts.
They also get teased, the athlete said. He told of one occasion in boarding school when his hostel mates hid his legs away and pretended there was a fire, leaving Pistorius to scurry around looking for his legs.
"It is important to keep a sense of humour," Pistorius told the boy.
Both he and Pistorius lost their lower legs before their first birthday.
The boy listened shyly as Pistorius said he received his first set of artificial legs when he was 13-months-old and that he started walking when he was 19-months-old.
Pistorius said it was important for muscle development to wear the artificial legs as often as possible.
Visiting four-year-old Kitso Mokolometsa at his home in Potchefstroom, Pistorius explained that artificial legs are difficult for children because they are carrying extra weight and it feels as though they are walking on stilts.
They also get teased, the athlete said. He told of one occasion in boarding school when his hostel mates hid his legs away and pretended there was a fire, leaving Pistorius to scurry around looking for his legs.
"It is important to keep a sense of humour," Pistorius told the boy.
Both he and Pistorius lost their lower legs before their first birthday.
The boy listened shyly as Pistorius said he received his first set of artificial legs when he was 13-months-old and that he started walking when he was 19-months-old.
Pistorius said it was important for muscle development to wear the artificial legs as often as possible.
