Darren Smith
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Call for donations
Fellow OBRA members,
I am going to compete in a half-Ironman triathlon on October 31, 2004 in San Diego. This is probably the biggest athletic challenge I have ever faced and I want you to help. This event is a fundraiser for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). CAF is an incredible non-profit 501c3 organization that provides grants to athletes with physical disabilities.
Why am I doing this? Because I still can?.On November 1, 2002, I had a seemingly routine medical procedure but something went wrong and caused what they call, Brown-Sequard Syndrome, which means I was left with a paralyzed left leg and a right leg that lacked sensation, both from my belly button on down. I spent twelve days in the hospital and with the help of some great physical therapy and the undying support of my family and friends, I learned to walk again. I graduated from a wheelchair to hobbling around on crutches and a leg brace and now, 18 months later, I am able to walk without either one, albeit, with a limp. As of today, I can ride my bike, I can swim, but I cannot run so I might have to walk the 13.1 mile final leg of the triathlon but I will be walking alongside athletes that are missing limbs, paralyzed athletes using hand cycles, and blind athletes. Their disabilities do not stop them and mine will not stop me.
The real challenge these athletes face, however, is not the course or one related to their disability ? it is the lack of funding. It costs a lot of money for the artificial limbs, the sports equipment, the special training, and even the racing wheelchairs that help these athletes complete the triathlon. A sports chair can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 and special artificial limbs allowing people to run can cost up to $15,000. Think of the costs of special training for an athlete with no limbs to be able to swim 1.2 miles of ocean water?
What is truly rewarding, however, is the funds that I raise for this event will benefit athletes like those mentioned earlier. My goal is to raise $5,000 to help athletes with physical disabilities purchase wheelchairs, handcycles, prosthetic limbs, and to travel to disabled sporting events.
My challenge is to finish a half-Ironman triathlon. My challenge to you is to join me by contributing whatever you can to help me reach this milestone. Enclosed is a link to a sponsor form. Take a minute to fill out and send this form back to me with whatever amount you can. It won?t take much; $25, $50, $150 and all donations are tax-deductible. It will go a long way in making sure more people with disabilities can experience the satisfaction and independence we gain through sports. Together we can make a difference.
Thank you for your support,
Darren Smith
Darren Smith, DC, CCSP
Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician
14125 SW Walker Road, Suite B
Beaverton, OR 97006
(503) 641-3333
Login to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Challenged Athletes Foundation
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Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://sdtc2004.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=46073&u=46073-41884603&e=118204451
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Darren Smith
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<center><b>Call for donations</b></center><br><br>Fellow OBRA members, <br><br>I am going to compete in a half-Ironman triathlon on October 31, 2004 in San Diego. This is probably the biggest athletic challenge I have ever faced and I want you to help. This event is a fundraiser for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). CAF is an incredible non-profit 501c3 organization that provides grants to athletes with physical disabilities.<br>
<br>
Why am I doing this? Because I still can?.On November 1, 2002, I had a seemingly routine medical procedure but something went wrong and caused what they call, Brown-Sequard Syndrome, which means I was left with a paralyzed left leg and a right leg that lacked sensation, both from my belly button on down. I spent twelve days in the hospital and with the help of some great physical therapy and the undying support of my family and friends, I learned to walk again. I graduated from a wheelchair to hobbling around on crutches and a leg brace and now, 18 months later, I am able to walk without either one, albeit, with a limp. As of today, I can ride my bike, I can swim, but I cannot run so I might have to walk the 13.1 mile final leg of the triathlon but I will be walking alongside athletes that are missing limbs, paralyzed athletes using hand cycles, and blind athletes. Their disabilities do not stop them and mine will not stop me.<br>
<br>
The real challenge these athletes face, however, is not the course or one related to their disability ? it is the lack of funding. It costs a lot of money for the artificial limbs, the sports equipment, the special training, and even the racing wheelchairs that help these athletes complete the triathlon. A sports chair can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 and special artificial limbs allowing people to run can cost up to $15,000. Think of the costs of special training for an athlete with no limbs to be able to swim 1.2 miles of ocean water?<br>
<br>
What is truly rewarding, however, is the funds that I raise for this event will benefit athletes like those mentioned earlier. My goal is to raise $5,000 to help athletes with physical disabilities purchase wheelchairs, handcycles, prosthetic limbs, and to travel to disabled sporting events.<br>
<br>
My challenge is to finish a half-Ironman triathlon. My challenge to you is to join me by contributing whatever you can to help me reach this milestone. Enclosed is a link to a sponsor form. Take a minute to fill out and send this form back to me with whatever amount you can. It won?t take much; $25, $50, $150 and all donations are tax-deductible. It will go a long way in making sure more people with disabilities can experience the satisfaction and independence we gain through sports. Together we can make a difference.<br>
<br>
Thank you for your support,<br>
Darren Smith<br>
<br>
<br>
Darren Smith, DC, CCSP<br>
Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician<br>
14125 SW Walker Road, Suite B<br>
Beaverton, OR 97006<br>
(503) 641-3333<br>
<br>
<br><br><a href='http://sdtc2004.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=46073&u=46073-41884603&e=118204451'>Follow This Link</a> to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Challenged Athletes Foundation<br><br>******************************************************************************<br>Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser: <br>http://sdtc2004.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=46073&u=46073-41884603&e=118204451<br>******************************************************************************<br><br>Darren Smith<br><br>
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