As a former soldier, I was moved by a recent article in Men's Health Magazine about soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.  One soldier in particular, Ted Wade, a Sergeant from the 82nd Airborne Division, who had lost an arm and suffered brain injuries made a statement that stuck with me "Sports is, well, integral to the life of most American boys and men, especially soldiers. People don't know what it's like to have that taken away from you.  I meet so many veterans for whom losing the ability to run and jump...well, they feel as if they may as well not even be living".

After reading that paragraph, I knew I had to do something.  The numbers of young, athletic individuals who suddenly find themselves disabled -  paralyzed, missing a limb, or blind are unfortunately growing.  However, that doesn't mean they can't return to their former activity level, and even set a goal of competing in athletics again. 

Donating my time and coaching is the easy part.  But, I've met so many people who don't know how or where to help and coaches who would gladly donate their time in their local area if asked.  So, in April of 2009, Cadence Performance Lab formed the TriSoldier Project.  I am working to raise awareness and set up a network of local coaches across the country who will donate their time to helping disabled veterans any way they can.  With a little coaching, we hope that these athletes will then become role models and coaches for others whose lives have been forever altered so that we can live our lives in safety.

We are currently putting together a team of disabled veterans to compete at the Lake Stevens Ironman 70.3 Triathlon in Lake Stevens, WA on August 15th, 2010.  Through the Paralyzed Veterans of America, we will be able to provide travel, lodging, food, race entry and uniforms for the athletes.

The Lake Stevens event is one of 33, and the only Pacific Northwest qualifier for the Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 World Championship!