Wendy Werthaiser is a visually impaired cyclist, middle-school teacher, and proud single parent of three wonderful kids. She began losing her eyesight 20 years ago from a degenerative disease called Cone-Rod Dystrophy. As Wendy's eyesight deteriorated, instead of giving up cycling, which had been a passion since 2010, she began transitioning to tandem cycling after attending the United States Association for Blind Athletes cycling development camp in May, 2017.

(Wendy and Jennifer at VELO Sports Center - Carson, California)

Wendy's journey on the tandem has been an inspiration to her family, friends, students, broader Ashland and Rogue Valley Oregon community, and other visually impaired athletes.

After just two years of disciplined training, with the support and love of different tandem pilots, friends, and family, Wendy has earned the opportunity to compete for the United States at the Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru in late August, 2019. 

Wendy and her racing pilot Jennifer Sharp have progressively improved their race times significantly this year, winning a Gold and Silver medal at USA Cycling Track Nationals in Los Angeles in July, 2019 and two Bronze medals at USA Cycling Road Championships in Knoxville in June, 2019.

The next six months are critical to Wendy realizing her dream to compete in Tokyo at the 2020 Paralympic Games. She and Jennifer have several training sessions scheduled on velodrome tracks in California and Colorado and have been invited to compete in qualifying events for the 2020 Paralympics throughout the United States.

Training and entering races is expensive. Though she's received wonderful support from her community. For more than two years Jill Williams has been Wendy's disciplined training pilot. Wendy has largely self-funded her effort to earn a spot on the team. Your support will fund travel expenses for Wendy and her racing pilot, training costs, bike transportation to training trips and races, entry fees for races and necessary equipment. 

Wendy's determination, hard work and dedication is clear to all around her. She knows what a privilege it is to have this opportunity. As a single mom raising three kids and running a household on a teacher's salary,  Wendy wouldn't be able to pursue this goal (and adventure) without our financial help.

We thank you for your consideration and support.

Friends of Wendy
www.BlindGirlCycling.com

Anticipated Cost, incomplete list as an example:
     *  Flight to Nationals, December - $1,200 (Wendy and Jennifer)
     *  Hotel/lodging - $600
     *  Car rental - $500
     *  Transportation for bike - $250
     *  Race Entry Fee - $200 to $250 (per race)

     * Training trip to Colorado, flight for Wendy - $550 (Jennifer lives in Colorado)
     *  Transportation fee for bike - $250

     *  Training trip to California, January - $950 (Wendy and Jennifer)
     *  Hotel/lodging - $500
     *  Car rental - $400
     *  Transportation for bike - $250

     *  Track Bike - $5,100
     *  Racing Wheels - $3,600
     *  Track helmets - $450
     *  Road Bike - on loan, borrowed

(Wendy and Jennifer following  USA Cycling Track Nationals in Los Angeles)

(Wendy and Jill following a training ride in the Applegate Valley)

(Wendy and Jennifer on the podium!)