Hi everyone, my name’s Taylor Judy Cutler, and I'm trying to raise funds for my very own adaptive mountain bike, the BOWHEAD REACH.

About seven years ago, a life-altering accident left me with a T5 complete spinal cord injury after being ejected from my car during a rollover. At 16, about to start my junior year in high school, my life revolved around physical activity due to my lifelong passion for dance. Discovering the true extent of my injuries left me devastated and uncertain about what my future holds now being paralyzed.

After spending a week in the ICU, I was transferred to Primary Children’s Hospital, where I spent the next three weeks adjusting to my new life in a wheelchair. As my stay drew to a close, an encounter unfolded that would profoundly shape my life forever. I vividly recall confiding in one of my nurses about feeling lost and unsure of how to participate in the same activities I once loved before. In response, she suggested that I could still dance from a chair but it may look or feel differently than it did before. After a back-and-forth discussion, she eventually said, "Well, let's discover your new dance then.”

The following day, she walked straight into my hospital room, switched on the TV, and played a film on adaptive sports. My mind was blown!!! The concept was entirely new to me, and I had never considered its possibilities. Unfamiliar with this world, I was instantly fascinated. From that moment forward, I made a personal vow to explore every sport featured in the video she shared until I discovered my new "dance."

Fast forward to today, I can confidently say I found my new dance. Over the last two years, I’ve fallen in love with adaptive sports and all the positive changes it’s brought into my life. Through my involvement with Wasatch Adaptive Sports, I had the chance to explore a variety of adaptive sports, yet it was mountain biking that truly won me over.

This brings me to why I'm starting this GoFundMe. Since taking up mountain biking, I've had to rely on borrowing a bike from my adaptive organization due to the high cost of adaptive equipment. I've tried nearly every adaptive bike to find the one that suits me best. It’s been a dream of mine since the day I rode the Bowhead to have my very own. Nothing has come close to the way I feel when riding this bike. The adrenaline, the excitement, and the intensity it brings are indescribable. By owning this bike, I can enhance my skills and advance in the sport on my own time. It would grant me the freedom to ride whenever and wherever I desired. It would truly be life-changing!

If you want to support and help a girl out, it would mean the world to me! I've been fortunate enough to receive grants from the Kelly Brush Foundation and the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and I am so thankful for their support and for helping me achieve my goals. As I work towards raising the remaining funds for my own mountain bike, I am reaching out for assistance. I find it a bit hard to ask for financial help, but honestly, any contribution, no matter how small, is always greatly appreciated!

Thank you for taking the time to read a bit more about my story. A huge shoutout to all the support and love that has been thrown my way over the last 7 years. I feel incredibly grateful to have so many people rooting for me in my corner! Rest assured, with my new bike (hopefully), I'll make ya'll proud. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for all your support!

***A quick side note, any remaining funds left over I’ll be donating to the cadaver lab at my college, Utah Valley University. I’m majoring in Exercise Science, hoping to become an Occupational Therapist one day. So, during one of my required classes, which was anatomy lab. I encountered challenges due to my wheelchair, despite the department's efforts to accommodate me. The inability to lower the tables with the cadavers became a difficult obstacle, requiring me to use a handheld mirror to navigate the course (ending with an A- btw). I am determined to ensure future wheelchair users who take this class will have access to a standing wheelchair, eliminating the need for anyone to face the same struggles as I did. Therefore, any remaining funds will be dedicated to making this essential change for any upcoming students.

Thank you once again!!! <3

Venmo: @taylorjudycutler

Instagram: @taylor.cutler22

#taylorneedsabowhead