My Journey to the Paralympics
In 2003, I was a Firefighter working for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue at one of the busiest fire stations in the country. On May 23, 2003, I was paralyzed in an accident. Not long after my accident, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, an organization that helps address mobility issues for those with physical challenges, provided me with a handcycle. That handcycle sat staring at me for years, only brought out for the occasional recreational ride, until I decided that both the handcycle and I could sit no longer.
As I worked my way steadily from recovery to rehabilitation, and re-entry into family, friends, work and school, I began to see handcycling as a way to regain my independence, my identity as the lifelong athlete that I had been and, perhaps, to serve as an inspiration for others to move ahead and beyond the challenges that life can throw at you.
Three years ago, I passed that original handcycle on to another young man, hoping it would serve as encouragement to move forward as it did for me. I would like to continue that message, setting in place the opportunity to endure, excel, and to exceed, by earning the right to be a Paralympic contender. Fourteen years and thousands of miles later, I am a competitive handcyclist trying to earn a place on the United States National Team and compete in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Japan.
One of the most humbling things I have learned is that Olympians don’t get to the Olympics on their own. They have the support of family, friends, coaches, team members, their employers, and countless other people they may have never even met before.
The support, ranging from words of encouragement from complete strangers to family and friends traveling with me around the country as my “pit crew”, has been incredible. I can’t even begin to express how appreciative I am.
I started competing 4 years ago. My training includes cycling, strength, speed, and endurance training, and nutrition management. My coach is one of the best in the handcycling sport. With hard work and great coaching, I have seen success at the national level. Over the last three years, I was also invited to participate in five U.S. Paralympic Training Programs, just one more step in my quest to make the U.S Team.
The reason I work so hard is because of my natural athletic competitiveness and my desire to represent the United States at the Paralympic Games, the pinnacle of athletic competition and one of the most effective international marketing platforms in the world. I’m not in it for the bucks but I can’t do it without financial support. The cost associated with competing at the highest level is staggering. A competitive handcycle costs over $15,000. The funds you contribute will supplement my personal funds to provide the equipment, coaching, travel, and training that I need to compete at the highest levels in the United States and internationally. I would love the opportunity to speak with you about what we can accomplish together as partners on this amazing journey; or, if you would simply like to donate, you can click the donate button on this page.
As a former NCAA Division I soccer player, and as a proud Las Vegas Firefighter, I know what it takes to be the best because I have played and worked with the best. As an individual who met obstacles early on, I am committed to sharing the vision for rising above the challenges that come our way by making the U.S. Team and bringing home the gold! Achieving my goal is not possible without your help.
Thank you for your support!
Chris
