Double amputee Murphy inspires by example

Rohan Murphy no longer wears the prosthetic legs; no longer does he care if people gawk or ask the once uncomfortable question of what happened to his lower half.

He doesn't mind the inquiries now because the answer is this: "My disability is a gift."

Odd as it may sound, there is truth to that. The guy who was born with a deformity and had his legs amputated as a 4-year-old went on to become a decorated high school wrestler at East Islip, then competed at Penn State, and is now an accomplished power lifter.

"The prosthetics were more of a hindrance," said Murphy, 27, who earned acclaim and interest in 2001 when he came within a point of winning a Suffolk championship. "I couldn't walk with them because I don't have a full hip joint."

The prosthetics were mostly for aesthetic purposes, Murphy said - his "attempt to fit in" and draw a little closer to satisfying his desire to be able-bodied. During his senior year of college, though, they were packed away.

"They were uncomfortable anyway and it wasn't me," he said. "I grew out of them . . . I don't have legs. I've accepted it and I embrace it."

So much so that last night at St. John's University's Oakdale campus, Murphy sprang from his wheelchair several times, at one point performing cartwheels. This was during a speech in the gymnasium before a rapt audience of about 200 Dowling students - athletes and others who simply wanted to hear a story of perseverance.

"I want people to know that their obstacles in life aren't something to be ashamed of," Murphy said. "Those things should drive you to want to improve."

Murphy grew up a sports fan - his father's influence - but his condition kept him from participating. So he exercised. A lot. Murphy began working out for fun when he was 9 and picked up weight lifting in sixth grade.

Impressed with his strength, middle school coach Ron Croteau convinced him to give wrestling a try. Murphy went 2-13 as a freshman on junior varsity. Undeterred, he spent that summer training with the East Islip football team (including running sprints on his hands). He made varsity as a sophomore and went on to an 80-22 career in the 96-pound circuit.

"I had an advantage because of the work I did," Murphy said. "I had the upper body of someone who was maybe 135 pounds."

The rest is recent history. Murphy, who's a motivational speaker, has been part of Nike's "No Excuses" ad campaign and will be featured in a "20/20" segment Friday on ABC. He's training for the 2012 Paralympics in power lifting.

"It's inspirational seeing someone with no legs who was all-county in wrestling," said Terry Froehlich, a Dowling wrestler who was among the listeners. "I want to be as motivated as him . . . I mean, he has no legs, but look at him."