Darren Smith
Forgive the length of this post but its hard to keep it shorter
My name is Darren Smith and I have been an OBRA member for at least 6-7 years. I raced MTB for most of it and thanks to the Clydesdale Class, I was able to have some good results. But then I got the road bug. I didn't do much in the way of finishes, usually got spit out the back, but I had fun. In 2002, I started doing triathlons and again, had a blast but not much for results. Later in 2002 I became paralyzed resulting from a surgical procedure and was told I would be lucky to walk again, let alone do another bike race or triathlon. Four years and three days after that, I became an Ironman, completing 140.6 miles in 15:32 (it was a long day:). I don't consider myself "disabled" anymore, rather I am a challenged athlete. Although I still have residual weakness from my injury, I no longer need a wheelchair or crutches to get around and I am lucky enough to not need special equipment to compete in my sport. Being disabled doesn't mean we aren't active and the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) makes it easier to get out and enjoy sports. Below describes it best, so read on, and thank you for your support. CAF raises money to help people with physical disabilities pursue an active lifestyle through physical fitness and athletics. CAFs mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, competitive lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love. At the end of the fundraising period, CAF hosts the San Diego Triathlon Challenge, a half Iron distance (70.3 miles) event which is probably the toughest triathlon I have ever done. Watching a bilateral arm amputee or paraplegic swim past me or having a bilateral leg amputee blow by me on a bike like I'm standing still is a very humbling experience and one that is very inspirational at the same time. I am always honored to stand next to these awesome athletes at the start line; a DNF wouldn't even cross my mind. By bidding on one of these jersey's you are making a donation towards my fundraising goal and you will directly help a challenged athlete in need. Thank you for your consideration! Darren Smith
I have the following jerseys:
Kirk OBee, Navigators Insurance jersey, current US Crit Champion with HealthNet/Maxxis
Doug Ollerenshaw, Cascade Cycling Classic Lead Oregon Rider jersey
Doug Ollerenshaw, HealthNet/Maxxis jersey
Nathan ONeill, Navigators/Australian National Champion jersey, 8 time Australian National TT Champ, currently with HealthNet/Maxxis
David OLoughlin, Navigators/Irish National Champion jersey, has won Irish National RR, TT, and Crit titles
Framed, Chris Baldwin, 2005 Cascade Cycling Classic KOM jersey, former National TT champion, currently with Toyota United
Ben Jacques-Mayne, Kodak/Sierra Nevada jersey, former U23 National Cyclocross champ and collegiate crit champ, currently with Priority Health/Bissell
Ben Jacques-Mayne, Kodak/Sierra Nevada jersey, currently with Priority Health/Bissell
Ben Jacques-Mayne, green/black/yellow Sierra Nevada jersey, currently with Priority Health/Bissell
Ben Jacques-Mayne, red/white Sierra Nevada jersey, currently with Priority Health/Bissell
Framed, Mark Walkers, Navigators jersey, 6 time Canadian National Champ, Team Canada member,
Framed, Ina Teutenberg, Saturn jersey, currently rides for T-Mobile womens team
Will Frischkorn, Colavita jersey, 2 time National U23 US RR Champ, currently with Slipstream/Chipotle
Gord Fraser, Team Canada jersey, 2004 Canadian National champ, 3 time Olympian, retired after 2006 from HealthNet/Maxxis
Scott Moninger, 1999 Cascade Cycling Classic Race Leader jersey, won CCC 4 times, was riding for Mercury at the time
Andrea Ratkovic, Autotrader.com jersey, only about 95lb soaking wet but was the Most Aggressive Rider at the HP Classic 1999, 2 time US Duathlon Champ
Since I am asking for donations, what you bid is up to you. I would like to suggest a minimum of $20/jersey or $30 for the framed ones but any amount will be considered. If I get multiple bids for the same jersey, I will email you if you have been outbid. I would like to leave this open til Sunday (unless of course someone wants to donate an obscene amount for a specific jersey :) Payment can be made by check or via my donation page for CAF and when I get confirmation of the donation, I will get the jersey to you. I will mail them if necessary but I don't know what it might cost so I may ask for a couple bucks more for postage.
Thanks so much for reading and for your support.
Darren Smith
PS-if you are on any other lists, running, triathlon, etc, please forward this email on.
Oh, and if you would like to donate but don't want a jersey, awesome! Just click: http://sdtc07.kintera.org/darrenswims
http://sdtc07.kintera.org/darrenswims
http://www.challengedathletes.org/
Darren A Smith, DC, DACBSPDiplomate American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians Lacamas Chiropractic & Sports Medicine2950 NW 38th AveCamas WA 98607(360) 635-2525