For details of the event, go to: http://www.challengedathletes.org/compe ... _Intro.htm
If you want to support the Challenged Ahtletes Foundation in honor of Team Winger, go to: http://sdtc10.kintera.org/teamwinger
I know this is a bit last minute for anyone who might be inclined to go to the event, but this came together only in the last few weeks and we have been busy coordinating travel, schedules and if everyone can participate after some recent surguries.
This is CAF's big fundraising and activities weekend, most of the best physically challenged athletes will be there competing in some way and the really cool thing is a bunch of one armed athletes will be there, including at least five BPI'ers, all members of this community.
The five BPI'ers that will be in San Diego are:
Team Winger:
Dan Aldrich(Me) - Swimming 1.2 miles in ocean
Joel Rosinbum - Riding 56 miles on hilly course
Chris Janney - Running 13.1 miles on hilly course.
Representing CAF as one of their athletes and part of a CAF team:
Robin Caruso - Running
Coming for inspiration and to be part of great weekend:
Michael Kilcar (Ultra Marathoner and Pro Snow Skier)
A little history of the above people and some athletic acheivements. Most of you know Chris as the research champion on these boards and so many have been helped by his endless research efforts, he is also part of the Board of Directors for UBPN. Chris and I met back on 2007 when we went to Mexico to meet Fernando and go waterskiing. Chris encouraged me to stay active on the boards and keep giving my input as a seasoned veteran of this injury and a very active athlete, he wanted to make sure I knew the importance of the "veterans" being here and not just newer people looking for surgical answers. As a result of his encouragement, I stayted active and posted when I felt I could offer some help and insight, a few months after our trip, a simple question posted by Robin asking what you do with your arm when running, changed everything. After numerous answers to he question and not one good solution, I created the athletic arm sling. I contacted Robin privately and asked if she would be my test subject to get one made, she agreed and off the sling went. We have made over 50 of them and sold them all over the world, more importantly, I have made some great friendships and been able to share in some amazing athletic acheivements by people who have purchased the sling.
All the people listed above have been using the sling for the last few years and most were very instrumental in making some original suggestions so it worked better. As I said earlier, Robin was a dutiful test subject for the first one, Chris is local so he could be there in person and offer his body for measuring, Joel was responsible for the "Running" version of the sling, he said the original was to much material and got to hot and asked if we could make it smaller and not black.
As for the accomplishments of the athletes above, both Robin and Joel have won the one arm category for Paratriathles National Championship and represented the USA in the worlds. Robin just won the overall Paratriathlete national Championship and Joel was third, which means they beat the people with bionic legs, that is hard to do.
I know I am rambling a bit, but I wanted this thread to not only be about the CAF weekend, but also a way to highlight the fact that athletics and life doesn't have to stop when you get hurt. So if you can't make it to San Diego, just know the Wingers will be out in force and charging hard. I forgot to mention, I wanted to give Chris a little extra encouragement because when I asked him if he would do the run for the team, he didn't hesitate and said he would do it, I found out later that he had never run much more than three miles at one time prior to saying yes and he is about to run 13.1 miles on a hilly course
Way to go Chris!We will give you an update and post pictures after the event.
Dan
