7 MORE DAYS TILL I RACE IRONMAN KONA!!!! As some of you may know I am a permanently disabled athlete and that I use a medical device called an AFO or Ankle Foot Orthosis to walk and run. What may surprise you is that my AFOʻs cost almost $6,000.00 a pair!!! Fortunately I have awesome medical insurance and only had to only cover 20% or $1,200 of the cost (yup thatʻs right I only had to pay $1,200.00 just so I could walk and run). But unfortunately for other physically challenged individuals this kind of medical insurance coverage is not available. This is where the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) Access for Athletes Program steps in. Access for Athletes provides support to many physically challenged individuals who would be left on the sidelines because they are not able to afford that prosthetic leg, sports wheel chair, hand cycle, or in my case a pair of AFOʻs. Just ask my friend (we have the same disease) and fellow CMT Athlete Pearl Gannon. CAF helped her with getting a sports wheelchair and now sheʻs a competitive wheelchair basketball player! Without CAFʻs help she would be left on the side lines watching basketball rather then playing it! I really took walking and running for granted before my disability kicked in and limited what I could do. Just imagine having your ability to walk or run taken away from you. Whatʻs even worst imagine knowing there are medical devices out there that could help you but your medical insurance will not cover the cost or you just canʻt afford to purchase them. Please help me to help other Challenged Athletes by making a donation to CAF by using the link below. Remember your donation is tax deductible! Mahalo nui loa for all of your support! ironman.kintera.org/worldchampionship2013/caf_james_cuizon
Posted on: Sat, 05 Oct 2013 19:36:51 +0000
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