U.S. Paralympic racing 2017

I'm Todd Key, and currently a member of Team USA as part of U.S. Paralympics Para-cycling. I'm a cancer survivor from an early age, at 17 I lost my leg as a result of the cancer. I also suffered a severe break of my right arm when I was 7, the complications from the break left me with no function, so my arm is virtually paralyzed. I never imagined that such a physical loss would lead to such a wonderful passion for bicycle racing. My journey through the trials in my life has been hard, I've fortunatley found the inner strength to turn my physical limitations into a racing career. I spent a lot of time and effort in creating custom adapted bicycles that I ride with one leg. Riding gave me a new found freedom and a return to feelings I remembered from a much earlier time in my life. I used the bikes to fuel my passion for riding and racing, and to my amazement, I found my way on to the U.S. Paralympic team. I've been on the team for 3 years now, and in those years I've raced all over the world. I've raced in Italy, Spain, Germany, South Africa, England, just to name a few. Unfortunately racing equipment is very expensive, and getting to those races is also exspensive. My last race of 2016 was also my best. In July I won Gold in the Time Trial, my first international medal, and hopefully not my last. That World Cup win has made me even more determined, so now I'm ready to do everything necessary to make the 2020 Tokyo team. I will use this money as funding for my races in Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands in 2017. It will go towards airfare, hotels, transportation, race fees and all the things I'll need to compete. This money is essential to my success, and without it my racing is in jeapordy. I can't fully express how much racing means, but it brings a special kind of freedom that just doesn't exsist for me in any other way. My gratitude will be for life, and I will make sure that all of you will see that gratitude in the future.