Many of you know how important sports and fitness are to me. Living a healthy, active lifestyle is something that is easily taken for granted. I have taken on the challenge of training for and completing the Badwater Ultramarathon. To make my race more meaningful, I am raising money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) – an inspiring 501c3 non-profit foundation that gives hope to thousands of individuals with physical disabilities around the world by showing them what is possible. By providing support, mentoring, and grants for adaptive sports equipment, competition and training expenses, physically challenged athletes are able to become whole through sports.
Did you know there are 40-50 million people with physical disabilities in the U.S. alone? Only 1 in 10 physically challenged people participate in sports, and over 75% of children with disabilities will never even try. There is a huge population of people who aren’t able to go for a jog, play basketball, or participate in any of the sports activities so many of us love. But it’s not because they lack ambition, desire, or skill. They only lack the support and funding to get the resources they need to succeed. Adaptive sports equipment like basketball wheelchairs cost up to $5,000, while running prosthetics can cost more than $30,000. Learning to swim when you lack a limb (or limbs) requires special coaching. Insurance typically does not cover these expenses. Just like me, these challenged athletes want to participate in athletics and feel the rush of competition, but they face a major obstacle. CAF has started to change this reality by helping thousands of people of all ages, ethnicities, and disabilities realize their dreams. Still, we need your support to get even more challenged athletes to the finish line.
By donating to my fundraising efforts, you are helping me and CAF change lives, one athlete at a time. With our help, challenged athletes can bridge the financial gap and overcome obstacles blocking their path to athletic achievement. That is why I am challenging myself to make a difference in their lives.