I am not one to believe in fate, but I can whole-heartedly say that fate brought me to Dare2tri. I joined the Dare2tri family in 2015 as an intern for my graduate school program. It was a randomly assigned internship, and I had very little knowledge that I was joining such a loving and dynamic organization. Through my six-month internship, I was not only introduced to the world of triathlon, but the world of para sports. I helped plan and executie camps, trainings, and races, and in a matter of months, was able to watch countless athletes cross the finish line. As someone who swore to Keri that I would "never do a triathlon", I found myself competing in my first ever triathlon, the Chicago SuperSprint, within a month of finishing my internship.

But this was only the beginning of my Dare2tri journey. I stayed on with Dare2tri as a volunteer following the end of my internship, traveling with the team to national and local races as a handler. Within a year, I was training regularly for my own races, and had the chance to give guiding a try. At the Dare2tri camp in 2016, I learned how to guide a visually impaired athlete, and made my guide debut. This was a defining moment in my life, as I not only was able to push my body to do a triathlon, but was able to do it on behalf of another indvidual for her to finish her race. Since then, I have had multiple opportunities to serve as a guide to many of our athletes, and have found it within myself to tackle my own sprint distance triathlons. None of this would have been possible without the support, love, and guidance of the Dare2tri family.

Dare2tri has given me the opportunity to be a part of a movement that is so much bigger than you and I, and truly changing the world of triathlon and disability inclusion. Through my involvement in this organization, I have become a happier, healthier, and more giving person, and have watched countless athletes celebrate crossing the finish line. This organization instills self-confidence and strength in eveyrone involved, from athletes to volunteers. Because Dare2tri has given me so much, it is my turn to now give back to the organization through the Race2Raise program. In August, I will be participating in the sprint distance of the Chicago Triathlon for my second year. I am asking for donations, all of which will go directly to support athletes with physical disabilities in the sport of triathlon, to continue participating in races. 

Raising Funds and Awareness for Dare2tri - ONE SUPPORTS MANY

Dare2tri's Race2Raise program is comprised of athletes who want to make their race(s) more meaningful by supporting many! Athletes raise funds and awareness for Dare2tri by competing in triathlons, endurance races, or any type of race throughout the season.

All funds raised go directly to Dare2tri to support our athletes with physcial disabilities and visual impairments and our programs. Many individuals with disabilities have expensive medical bills, and adaptive sports equipment is not covered by insurance. At Dare2tri, we believe that by remaining active, athletes build confidence, autonomy, and self-worth in both sports and in other areas of life. We empower athletes to believe they can do anything they set their mind to. The finish line is just the beginning. 

About Dare2tri: Launched in 2011, Dare2tri works with athletes of all ages and all ability levels from beginner to elite. We serve youth, adults, and injured service members who have a physical disability such as amputation, spinal cord injury, stroke, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and those with visual impairments and blindness. Dare2tri is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more, visit us at www.dare2tri.org.