Florida amputee sheds 175 pounds to conquer Wine & Dine 5K

In an awe-inspiring feat of determination, Zach Bernstein, a former 500-pound individual who lost his leg following a devastating accident, triumphed in the Disney Wine & Dine 5K event held at the Walt Disney World Resort this past Friday.

Running alongside his wife and two friends, Bernstein, who now utilizes a blade prosthetic, valiantly conquered the 3.1-mile race.

The road to this remarkable achievement was fraught with adversity. In February of 2022, Bernstein’s life took a tragic turn when a shelf collapsed on his foot, causing severe damage that resulted in the amputation of his leg below the knee in November 2022. His journey to recovery was marked by the development of poor circulation in his foot and permanent nerve damage.

Running had become an integral part of Bernstein’s fitness journey, leading to a significant weight loss of 175 pounds. Despite his life-altering injury, his determination to regain his running prowess was unwavering. He persevered through the painstaking process of learning to walk again and adapting to running with a blade prosthetic.

“I feel amazing,” said the 39-year-old Bernstein, hailing from Davenport, Florida. “Just looking back a year ago, when I couldn’t even walk, and in two weeks, I’ll be celebrating the one-year anniversary of my amputation. It feels like completing a huge circle.”