(Published Friday, January 19, 2007 11:26:07 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Marcia Nelesen Gazette staff
Scott Olsen, a Janesville man known for his love of running, is coming home from a Madison hospital.
Olsen, 45, lost part of his leg below the knee after a Nov. 22 accident on Milton Avenue.
According to police reports, Olsen was attempting to cross Milton Avenue when he was hit by a pickup truck.
Olsen was taken by helicopter to University Hospital in Madison and more recently has been at Meriter Hospital for rehabilitation.
Olsen was a familiar sight on his daily runs on Milton Avenue. He rarely missed a day.
Since the accident, concerned residents who saw or spoke to Olsen on his daily jog have contacted The Janesville Gazette, asking about his condition.
Scott Olsen
"For those of us who enjoy his conversations during his runs, we'd like to know that he's OK,'' one resident e-mailed the Gazette.
Scott's daughter, Christin, said her dad has a huge pile of cards from people who saw him running.
"Many say, 'You don't know me, but I'm so sorry to hear about your accident,' and stuff like that,'' Christin said.
Christin, 16, is a cheerleader, and the Craig cheerleaders are hosting a fund-raiser spaghetti dinner for her father in the school cafeteria from 5 to 7:30 p.m. today.
The person who hit Olsen is an uninsured motorist, said Olsen's attorney, Scott Schroeder of Janesville.
Scott Olsen, reached in his room at Meriter on Thursday, doesn't remember anything about the accident.
He prefers to look to the future, anyway.
"There's nothing anybody can do about that,'' Scott said.
"What we can do about it is focus on the future and focus on where we can go. That, to me, is the most important part. Focusing on the negative gets us nowhere.''
Scott sounds strong and optimistic.
But he said he has no other options. He won't listen to people who use the word "can't.''
Scott said he will soon be fitted with a prosthetic and is intent on returning to his job at Jones Dairy Farm in Fort Atkinson.
He plans to run again, too.
"They think it's entirely up to me,'' Scott said.
Christin said her dad has a great attitude.
"He's been saying he's going to get out running again. He can't wait to get back to work.''
He is determined and strong-willed, Christin said.
"I really didn't expect him to react as well as he has … His legs were his life.
