Team Kevin Triathlon Goal
Donation protected
Life Before the Stroke
In the years leading up to my stroke, I was busy; some would say too busy. I was very involved in my psychotherapy practice which I loved, helping people find healing from extensive damage caused by themselves and/or others. I enjoyed playing music, finding escape with my bass guitar. I also enjoyed family, friends, fishing, football, and volunteering.
The Night That Changed Everything
After work one evening, my son asked me if I would join him and a friend with working out. Not long into it, I suddenly felt exhausted and I laid down...right there on the floor. I was not able to walk or talk, and my face looked odd. Unbeknownst to me, I had a serious stroke. That was January 24, 2012.
Stroke Facts
According to the American Stroke Association, "a stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States."
A piece of plaque traveled up my left carotid artery and became stuck in my left of my brain, causing the affected parts of my brain to die. Because it was on the left side of my brain, speech was impossible, and the right side of my body was seriously impaired. I could read, but I could not identify letters. I had trouble speaking, writing, standing, swallowing, balancing, and had to sit in a wheelchair.
I had to quit my job that I loved, and I could no longer play my bass due to an uncooperative right hand.
In short, I thought my life was over...
Recovery Is Slow, But Steady
I received invaluable support from my girlfriend (who later became my wife), children, colleagues, and friends. I had speech, occupational, and physical therapy from the hospital where I was a patient, and I continued outpatient therapy after being discharged. With encouragement from the Idaho State University Speech and Language Program, I helped start a Stroke Recovery Support Program for stroke survivors. When I could no longer afford it, I relied on the health providers who graciously gave me discounts (some by as much as 100 percent).
I also improvised. After about 18 months, I began working out, riding my bike short distances, and swimming. As my stamina slowly increased, I began to go on longer bike rides and swims. I remember the days in Idaho where I could go 10 miles on my bike and swim 200 yards, and I so was so proud of myself!
Move to Hawaii & Ironman Experience
In June 2015 I moved to Kona on the ‘Big Island’ of Hawaii. It had been my dream to retire to Hawaii, so now that I could no longer pursue my career in Idaho due to aphasia (difficulty with speech and language), and after my wife was offered a job as a surgical technician at a local hospital, we decided to move. It must have been God intervening because soon after my move I found a new purpose in life.
On October 10, 2015, I volunteered at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. I had a lot of fun and it got me thinking... “I could do that.” I have never been even a casual runner, and I think I had it in me to run a marathon? And after a 2.4 mile swim and a 112 bike ride? At 56 years old? And…having had a stroke? What was I thinking!?!
Soon after, I noticed a guy who advertised on his car that he coaches triathletes. He got to know I was a stroke survivor and my vision behind wanting to participate in triathlons. I awkwardly asked if he, Rick Rubio, would consider coaching me. After he watched me run and swim, he said he would! I learned later that Coach Rick had had two hip replacements and still competes in triathlons, so he could understand some of the obstacles I’ll have to overcome.
No Going Back Now!
First up, there was a Thanksgiving Triathlon, (Kiser Motorcycle's 8th Annual (Tri)ptophan Turkey Day Triathlon, November 2015), racing for Team BioAstin, a company that makes nutritional supplements. That triathlon is called the sprint triathlon and consists of 1/3 mile swim, 16 mile bike, 2 mile run. I had been in training for only a bit over one month. Was I ever tired but I kept going, finishing in the last half on the participants.
I've participated in other races, all the way up to finishing the Ironman World Championships (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a marathon, 26.2 mile run, all within a 17 hour window), October 2016. I still can't believe I did it!
Still, my training is continuing. I hope to participate in other Ironman events (full and half Ironmen), and other swimming, biking, and running events.
For a full listing of events I've entered, to go www.kevinrhinehart.com !
To Give Stroke Survivors Hope
The main reason I do the triathlons is very clear to me: To give stroke survivors hope. As I said, I thought my life was over, and in many ways, it was. However, since that day in October 2015, I repurposed my life to helping stroke survivors find meaning and hope for their lives. I want to show them that their lives are not wasted; that through hard work, they can once again find meaning in their lives. Triathlons happen to be my passion. Each stroke survivor needs to find their own passion, something that motivates them to achieve more than they at first thought possible.
The bottom line is, don’t let anybody define who you are. Don’t let a diagnosis become a prison that keeps you from enjoying life. Don’t let self-limiting beliefs define who you are. Dream big. Ridiculously big. Stroke survivors CAN!
How You Can Help
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I am so excited about my life post stroke. To have something so difficult for me to go through, and to come out a better person with my same drive to help people goes beyond words. I thank God, family, friends, professionals, and sponsors for believing in me and wouldn’t let me give up.
The mission, however, is far from over. I need you more than ever. Pray that I will continue to experience good health, physically and mentally. It’s such a fine balance to do, especially with endurance sports like Ironman where the athlete stretches him or herself on a continuing basis.
Next, I need funds for my training and race related expenses until the nonprofit is up and running. Social Security Disability is a Godsend, but that’s for just for meeting my basic survival needs. It costs a mini fortune on travel and lodging, shoes, nutritional supplements, and bike tune ups. The list goes on and on. For reference, there is an article on how much it costs to be a triathlete. For 2018, I hope to participate in the Boston Marathon, two Ironman 70.3, and a full Ironman. Estimated costs for 2018 is $4500.
If you are interested in partnering with me to help me to continue helping me participate in triathlons, you can make contributions via GoFundMe or PayPal, or cash. I would be appreciative of any donation.
Post on Facebook, email to friends, and use Twitter to help spread the word.
On behalf of myself and stroke survivors everywhere,
Kevin Rhinehart, Stroke Survivor and Triathlete
www.kevinrhinehart.com
Donations are not tax deductible
In the years leading up to my stroke, I was busy; some would say too busy. I was very involved in my psychotherapy practice which I loved, helping people find healing from extensive damage caused by themselves and/or others. I enjoyed playing music, finding escape with my bass guitar. I also enjoyed family, friends, fishing, football, and volunteering.
The Night That Changed Everything
After work one evening, my son asked me if I would join him and a friend with working out. Not long into it, I suddenly felt exhausted and I laid down...right there on the floor. I was not able to walk or talk, and my face looked odd. Unbeknownst to me, I had a serious stroke. That was January 24, 2012.
Stroke Facts
According to the American Stroke Association, "a stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States."
A piece of plaque traveled up my left carotid artery and became stuck in my left of my brain, causing the affected parts of my brain to die. Because it was on the left side of my brain, speech was impossible, and the right side of my body was seriously impaired. I could read, but I could not identify letters. I had trouble speaking, writing, standing, swallowing, balancing, and had to sit in a wheelchair.
I had to quit my job that I loved, and I could no longer play my bass due to an uncooperative right hand.
In short, I thought my life was over...
Recovery Is Slow, But Steady
I received invaluable support from my girlfriend (who later became my wife), children, colleagues, and friends. I had speech, occupational, and physical therapy from the hospital where I was a patient, and I continued outpatient therapy after being discharged. With encouragement from the Idaho State University Speech and Language Program, I helped start a Stroke Recovery Support Program for stroke survivors. When I could no longer afford it, I relied on the health providers who graciously gave me discounts (some by as much as 100 percent).
I also improvised. After about 18 months, I began working out, riding my bike short distances, and swimming. As my stamina slowly increased, I began to go on longer bike rides and swims. I remember the days in Idaho where I could go 10 miles on my bike and swim 200 yards, and I so was so proud of myself!
Move to Hawaii & Ironman Experience
In June 2015 I moved to Kona on the ‘Big Island’ of Hawaii. It had been my dream to retire to Hawaii, so now that I could no longer pursue my career in Idaho due to aphasia (difficulty with speech and language), and after my wife was offered a job as a surgical technician at a local hospital, we decided to move. It must have been God intervening because soon after my move I found a new purpose in life.
On October 10, 2015, I volunteered at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. I had a lot of fun and it got me thinking... “I could do that.” I have never been even a casual runner, and I think I had it in me to run a marathon? And after a 2.4 mile swim and a 112 bike ride? At 56 years old? And…having had a stroke? What was I thinking!?!
Soon after, I noticed a guy who advertised on his car that he coaches triathletes. He got to know I was a stroke survivor and my vision behind wanting to participate in triathlons. I awkwardly asked if he, Rick Rubio, would consider coaching me. After he watched me run and swim, he said he would! I learned later that Coach Rick had had two hip replacements and still competes in triathlons, so he could understand some of the obstacles I’ll have to overcome.
No Going Back Now!
First up, there was a Thanksgiving Triathlon, (Kiser Motorcycle's 8th Annual (Tri)ptophan Turkey Day Triathlon, November 2015), racing for Team BioAstin, a company that makes nutritional supplements. That triathlon is called the sprint triathlon and consists of 1/3 mile swim, 16 mile bike, 2 mile run. I had been in training for only a bit over one month. Was I ever tired but I kept going, finishing in the last half on the participants.
I've participated in other races, all the way up to finishing the Ironman World Championships (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a marathon, 26.2 mile run, all within a 17 hour window), October 2016. I still can't believe I did it!
Still, my training is continuing. I hope to participate in other Ironman events (full and half Ironmen), and other swimming, biking, and running events.
For a full listing of events I've entered, to go www.kevinrhinehart.com !
To Give Stroke Survivors Hope
The main reason I do the triathlons is very clear to me: To give stroke survivors hope. As I said, I thought my life was over, and in many ways, it was. However, since that day in October 2015, I repurposed my life to helping stroke survivors find meaning and hope for their lives. I want to show them that their lives are not wasted; that through hard work, they can once again find meaning in their lives. Triathlons happen to be my passion. Each stroke survivor needs to find their own passion, something that motivates them to achieve more than they at first thought possible.
The bottom line is, don’t let anybody define who you are. Don’t let a diagnosis become a prison that keeps you from enjoying life. Don’t let self-limiting beliefs define who you are. Dream big. Ridiculously big. Stroke survivors CAN!
How You Can Help
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I am so excited about my life post stroke. To have something so difficult for me to go through, and to come out a better person with my same drive to help people goes beyond words. I thank God, family, friends, professionals, and sponsors for believing in me and wouldn’t let me give up.
The mission, however, is far from over. I need you more than ever. Pray that I will continue to experience good health, physically and mentally. It’s such a fine balance to do, especially with endurance sports like Ironman where the athlete stretches him or herself on a continuing basis.
Next, I need funds for my training and race related expenses until the nonprofit is up and running. Social Security Disability is a Godsend, but that’s for just for meeting my basic survival needs. It costs a mini fortune on travel and lodging, shoes, nutritional supplements, and bike tune ups. The list goes on and on. For reference, there is an article on how much it costs to be a triathlete. For 2018, I hope to participate in the Boston Marathon, two Ironman 70.3, and a full Ironman. Estimated costs for 2018 is $4500.
If you are interested in partnering with me to help me to continue helping me participate in triathlons, you can make contributions via GoFundMe or PayPal, or cash. I would be appreciative of any donation.
Post on Facebook, email to friends, and use Twitter to help spread the word.
On behalf of myself and stroke survivors everywhere,
Kevin Rhinehart, Stroke Survivor and Triathlete
www.kevinrhinehart.com
Donations are not tax deductible
Organizer
Kevin Rhinehart
Organizer
Meridian, ID
