Former college distance runner whose legs were amputated provides opportunities for students

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Martha Nauman, an educator for 28 years, is a former cross-country standout at Appalachian State and taught at Nathaniel Alexander Elementary School in Charlotte for 11 years before her life suddenly changed.

In 2013, an initial diagnosis of pneumonia turned septic and antibiotics didn't work.

Nauman almost died twice.

Doctors ultimately had to amputate her legs just below both of her knees to prevent infection from spreading and to save her life.

"My kidneys had shut down and I was in heart failure,” Nauman said. “I went from being a teacher and an athlete to being bedridden on a ventilator and having to start from scratch."

Five years later, Nauman maintains her progress and perspective.

She still works with students weekly at Nathaniel Alexander Elementary.

This weekend, Nauman participated in the Race 2 Educate 5k, an event she helped start, which raises scholarship money for Charlotte-area students.

This year’s 5K helped raise $43,000 in student scholarships for Vance High School students.

"I think it gives kids an opportunity to live their best life and to meet those wonderful people along the way that are gonna support them,” Nauman said. “And I aim to be one of those people because I wanna pay it forward to all the people who were wonderful and supported me."

Math and reading have been part of Nauman’s curriculum.

But what she represents is of far greater value.

"Patience, persistence and acceptance are all part of the journey of what I've been through,” Nauman said. "I really only look back to see how far I've come.”

The former cross-country standout embodies success in life's marathon.

"My greatest gift is having the courage to fail,” Nauman said. “By having the privilege to fail over and over and over again, it's a pathway to a new solution. I'm getting stronger. I still get stronger every day. I'm just full of gratitude for all the progress that I continue to make."

Cox Media Group