MORTY Williams of Whale Bay Road, Southampton is a miraculous man. In fact, the 58-year-old stonemason and former owner operator of Morton's New World Bakery at North Hill, Pembroke, is a remarkable testament of what Christian fortitude and personal faith can yield.

On August 29, 2001 he suffered a severe stroke. Paralysis on his left side left him in a foetal position, unable to walk, stand, bathe himself and virtually helpless.

So determined was Morty to bounce back, and after a long hospitalisation and weeks of excruciating therapy, he managed to be at the starting line of the May 24 Heritage Day 2004 Marathon Derby. He ran all the way from Somerset through Hamilton to the finish line at the National Sports Centre in Devonshire.

As we produce this feature, Morty is in Atlanta, Georgia with fellow members of the Swan Running Club taking part in the 25-mile Peach Tree Marathon over the Independence Day Holiday.

Chirleene Morton, Morty's wife of 36 years, said it was sad seeing this one-time, hard-working active man, confined to a wheelchair and unable to do a thing for himself. He could not dress himself or not even as much as able to pick up a straw.

She added: "Morty will tell you his recovery is due to a lot of prayer and divine intervention. He had utter support of his family and friends. His boss was very good to him. He visited him weekly, helping to relieve mental stress by paying during all those months he was off from work.

WHEN Morty was able to return to work, in January of 2003, despite his limp and impaired hand, his boss allowed him to come in one or two half-days at a time, until he is now back full-time, five days a week."

During his recovery, Morty got into a walking programme, then he started to run last December. Upon joining the Swan Running Club, he received great support from fellow members, who cheered him and boosted his morale.

Chirleene hoped that "over and above anything you write, please state Morty has strong faith in God. He did a lot of praying during and after his hospitalisation. Whenever you are sick like that you really have to take hold of yourself, check your life and see what's there.

"Also during his recovery he went abroad to a health clinic to have his body detoxed. The Lord told him there were some things in his life he had to get rid of."

Our photos show Morty Williams, the recovered severe stroke victim, racing to cheers of spectators along the Heritage Day Marathon route. He ran the distance from Somerset to Devonshire.

Above left: Morty presents a cheque for $1,700 to Mark Selly, president of the Bermuda Stroke Association. The money was from pledges received for his end-to-end race in the marathon.