Help Theresa Get To Wodapalooza!
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In 2003, Theresa Couture suffered the first stroke related to the progressive neuromuscular disorder known as Mitochondrial disease. This hallmarked the adult onset of the disease and led to the loss of her beloved career as an ICU/trauma nurse. In the years that followed she fought her way back both physically and mentally from a total of 5 strokes, suffering the sixth one in March of 2015. This stroke was different. Theresa lost her ability to use both her legs. Maintaining her balance, a stable heart rate, and blood pressure were everyday challenges as well.
Theresa had to learn so many new skills as she adjusted to her life in a wheelchair. She diligently worked 5 days a week with her wonderful Physical therapist for months, but the rehabilitation doctor said it was unlikely that she would ever regain the ability to walk independently. Physical therapy eventually stopped because they said no more measurable gains could be made. That's when she was introduced to an amazing CrossFit gym, CrossFit Wingman in Agawam Massachusetts. Theresa's only goal was to be strong enough to get back into the wheelchair when she fell out.
That was in October of 2015. It is no exaggeration to say finding CrossFit has changed Theresa’s life, far surpassing her initial goal. So much so, she challenged herself to try and qualify to compete at Wodapalooza in Miami, Florida on January 12 – 15, 2017. Wodapalooza is a 4 day worldwide competitive CrossFit tournament with nearly 1500 athletes and representing over 30 countries, 70 of those athletes will be in the Adaptive Division. Theresa made it in and no one was more surprised than her! I don't think anyone at our gym was surprised, though, because if you ever watched her train you would see this incredible determination to persevere in spite of her physical limitations, the pain, terrible muscle spasms, many setbacks, and often overwhelming fatigue. Theresa has become in every sense of the word an Athlete. Like all athletes, there is a desire to compete not only within themselves but against others and Theresa is no different.
Competitions with adaptive divisions are limited. Thankfully Wodapalooza isn’t one of them and in fact is the largest venue to host an Adaptive Division. That's why I started this GoFundMe page for her, to try and ease her financial worries so she can focus on just being the determined athlete she’s become. In so many ways her life has become infinitely more difficult but she is the truest definition of resiliency and embodies the philosophy of “blooming where you're planted” .
My Mom has spent most of her adult life caring for others and working tirelessly for years raising funds for organizations that help others affected by neuromuscular disease. I thought we could try and give back to her. Any funds raised would help offset the costs of travel, lodging and competition expenses for her and her coach, Zach.
To read more about Theresa’s journey please read this great article in the CrossFit Journal: http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/CFJ_2016_05_Mito-DeShaney_v3.pdf]
To learn more about Mitochondrial Disease and the organization she help found : http://www.mitoaction.org/
To learn more about: www.thewodapalooza.com
To learn more about adaptive CrossFit and fitness : www.WheelWod.com
To learn more about CrossFit Wingman: www.crossfitwingman.com
To learn more about CrossFit: www.Crossfit.com
Theresa had to learn so many new skills as she adjusted to her life in a wheelchair. She diligently worked 5 days a week with her wonderful Physical therapist for months, but the rehabilitation doctor said it was unlikely that she would ever regain the ability to walk independently. Physical therapy eventually stopped because they said no more measurable gains could be made. That's when she was introduced to an amazing CrossFit gym, CrossFit Wingman in Agawam Massachusetts. Theresa's only goal was to be strong enough to get back into the wheelchair when she fell out.
That was in October of 2015. It is no exaggeration to say finding CrossFit has changed Theresa’s life, far surpassing her initial goal. So much so, she challenged herself to try and qualify to compete at Wodapalooza in Miami, Florida on January 12 – 15, 2017. Wodapalooza is a 4 day worldwide competitive CrossFit tournament with nearly 1500 athletes and representing over 30 countries, 70 of those athletes will be in the Adaptive Division. Theresa made it in and no one was more surprised than her! I don't think anyone at our gym was surprised, though, because if you ever watched her train you would see this incredible determination to persevere in spite of her physical limitations, the pain, terrible muscle spasms, many setbacks, and often overwhelming fatigue. Theresa has become in every sense of the word an Athlete. Like all athletes, there is a desire to compete not only within themselves but against others and Theresa is no different.
Competitions with adaptive divisions are limited. Thankfully Wodapalooza isn’t one of them and in fact is the largest venue to host an Adaptive Division. That's why I started this GoFundMe page for her, to try and ease her financial worries so she can focus on just being the determined athlete she’s become. In so many ways her life has become infinitely more difficult but she is the truest definition of resiliency and embodies the philosophy of “blooming where you're planted” .
My Mom has spent most of her adult life caring for others and working tirelessly for years raising funds for organizations that help others affected by neuromuscular disease. I thought we could try and give back to her. Any funds raised would help offset the costs of travel, lodging and competition expenses for her and her coach, Zach.
To read more about Theresa’s journey please read this great article in the CrossFit Journal: http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/CFJ_2016_05_Mito-DeShaney_v3.pdf]
To learn more about Mitochondrial Disease and the organization she help found : http://www.mitoaction.org/
To learn more about: www.thewodapalooza.com
To learn more about adaptive CrossFit and fitness : www.WheelWod.com
To learn more about CrossFit Wingman: www.crossfitwingman.com
To learn more about CrossFit: www.Crossfit.com
Organizer
Brianna Couture
Organizer
Agawam, MA