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United for Colombia

Tax deductible
Edwin Matiz, Colombian Paralympic Cyclist Needs a Bike

Edwin is from Boyacá, Colombia. When he was 13 years old he found a “metallic tube” on his way home from school. To him it looked like a toy so he picked it up and started fidgeting with it when suddenly the tube exploded. Edwin lost his left arm and was wounded in his chest and stomach.

In 2007, United for Colombia  foundation provided him with a state-of-the-art hand prosthesis along with continuous physical and psychological therapy. Since then, United for Colombia  foundation has supported Edwin covering maintenance and adjustment costs of his artificial upper limb to preserve the functionality of his had prosthesis.

This prosthesis allows him to do what he loves the most: bicycling. His aspiration of being a professional cyclist came to reality when he joined the Colombian Cycling Paralympic Team. Since then, he has participated in international championships in countries like Mexico, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland and Canada. Last August he won second place in the men´s 1km time trial in Canada.
http://results.toronto2015.org/PRS/en/cycling-track/results-men-s-1km-time-trial-c1-5-1-00.htm
 
But life has its rough rides. Last September 22th around 6:00 AM in the city of Bogotá, Edwin was on his way to meet with his teammate for a training journey when he was mugged by two gun armed men who stole his GW Tourmalet bike and they viciously shattered his arm prostheses. This was a very sad day for this 22 year-old young man.

For Edwin, cycling is more than a passion, it’s his whole life. His next tournament is the National Cycling Competition which will take place next November the 6th in Cali, Colombia.

Today, Edwin is recognized as one of Colombia’s most promising national sports figure. Practicing and training cycling gave Edwin, after his terrible accident, a sense of purpose in life. He has high goals and we want to help him.

Please help us to give Edwin’s a new “Carbon Horse”. Join us into making Edwin’s dream come true: to reach the podium at the Paralympics Games. With your generosity we can make this happen.

Cost of the bike: US$5.000
Cost of the prosthesis: US$2.500
Total needed: US$7.500
www.unitedforcolombia.org

Edwin Matiz tiene actualmente 23 años. A sus 12 años cuando vivía con sus padres en Quipama, Boyacá, se encontró un objeto metálico que le llamó la atención; lo llevó a su casa y al desarmarlo para ver el contenido interior, le explotó en su mano izquierda ocasionándole la amputación de la misma. A raíz del incidente, Edgar, su hermano mayor, decidió hacerse cargo del pequeño y lo llevó a vivir a Bogotá buscando mejores oportunidades para su futuro.

Gracias al apoyo de United for Colombia , en el año 2007 Edwin recibió una prótesis de mano que le permite hacer lo que más le gusta: practicar el ciclismo. Edwin siempre aspiró a ser un ciclista profesional y su sueño lo logró cuando se unió al Equipo de Ciclismo Paralímpico Colombiano. Desde entonces, ha venido representando a Colombia en diferentes campeonatos internacionales en países como México, España, Italia, Holanda, Suiza y Canadá. En agosto pasado ganó el segundo lugar en la prueba masculina de 1 km en Canadá (http://results.toronto2015.org/PRS/en/cycling-track/results-men-s-1km-time-trial-c1-5-1-00.htm)

El ciclismo le devolvió a Edwin, después de su terrible accidente, un propósito en la vida y lo ayudó a superarse a sí mismo y a salir adelante.

Pero desafortunadamente no todo ha salido bien para Edwin, el pasado 22 de septiembre alrededor de las 6:00 de la mañana en la ciudad de Bogotá cuando iba en su bicicleta para reunirse con su compañero de equipo para a entrenar, fue asaltado por dos hombres armados que le robaron su bicicleta de alta gama, GW Tourmalet, y le destrozaron su prótesis.

El ciclismo es más que una pasión para Edwin. Su siguiente competencia es el Campeonato Nacional de Ciclismo que se celebrará el próximo 6 de noviembre en la ciudad de Cali.

Requerimos de tu apoyo para devolverle a Edwin su “caballo de carbono” y adaptarle una nueva prótesis. Únete a nosotros y cumplamos el sueño de Edwin de alcanzar el podio en los próximos Juegos Paralímpicos. Con tu generosidad podemos hacer que esto suceda!

Costo de la bicicleta: US$5.000
Costo de la prótesis: US$2.500
Total requerido: US$7.500
www.unitedforcolombia.org

Organizer

Catalina Alvarez
Organizer
Alexandria, VA
UNITED FOR COLOMBIA
 
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.

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