Denise and Paul Fejtek at the top of Everest

CAF is pleased to announce and recommend a GREAT new book called “Steps to the Summit – Reaching the Top in Business and Life” by business leader and CAF’s 2010 Most Inspirational Athlete, Paul Fejtek.  It is a captivating account of the quest of one challenged athlete to climb Mt. Everest and all of the highest mountains on each continent around the world. In his book, Fejtek recounts the risks he took to achieve his goal while delivering impactful messages to help every reader conquer their own summit successfully, whether it is a literal, personal or professional summit.

The entire book is brimming with valuable advice, but the chapter titles or “Steps” stand powerfully alone.

"Steps to the Summit - Reaching the Top in Business and Life"

  In a clever and gripping read you will learn to:

• Dream Big and Step Up
• Live Courageously
• Discover Your Creativity
• Be Determined and Disciplined
• Lead and They Will Follow
• Be Prepared
• Don’t worry Be Happy
• Have a Little Faith
• Move Fast
• Take a Step Back
• Maintain a Sharp Focus
• Build Quality Relationships
• Make a Decision
• Just Breathe
• Never Give Up

These phrases are important to any aspect of life. Readers will take from this book the knowledge that often we are our biggest obstacle in our personal and professional paths.  As Sir Edmund Hillary said after becoming the first person to successfully climb Mt. Everest in 1953: “It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves. “ Fejtek prompts us to “Step Up” and over ourselves and realize that great rewards involve great risks. Allow yourself to “Dream Big” – any dream you want — and recognize the courage within you to take the necessary steps to reach your summit.
Fejtek’s detailed account of his suspenseful journeys and his logical application of his lessons to life and business deliver a one-two punch. Not only are we awed by Fejtek’s courage, but he lends us insight on how we too can be just as courageous and successful in our own endeavors.

Fejtek along with his wife and climbing partner Denise, who were side-by-side on all of these journeys, are inspirations to the Challenged Athletes Foundation and its community of athletes and supporters. The Fejteks are donating 100% of the profits from the sale of the book to CAF.  Find out more information here and pick up your own copy of this wonderful and insightful book! http://StepsToTheSummit.com

By Denise Castelli

I’ve learned a lot about support over these past few years.  I often stop and think to myself that I don’t know where I’d be without my family, friends, the support of my community and the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

In April 2008, I was your ordinary senior in college.  Well, maybe not entirely ordinary. I was an NCAA softball player, as well as a dean’s list student at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut. I was only looking forward to my next journey: Life after college.  With graduation around the corner, I couldn’t help but think about the world of possibilities that were out there for me.

But on April 22, 2008, tragedy struck. During one of the final games of that season (and ultimately my career), I took off from first base on a steal, headed for second and broke my leg.  I can still remember hearing the snap and the instant pain that I felt.

Up until this point in my life, I had never really experienced a moment that was so heartbreaking.  I couldn’t finish out my senior year (including  the NCAA tournament) or play in my senior game, and the chances of me walking across the stage at graduation looked slim.  I wish I knew then, how little all these things would matter to me in the months to come.

I wish I knew then what I know now.

To make the longest, most epic medical story short, I ended up with an infection in my broken leg.  I would spend the next 18 months of my life battling that infection. After osteomyelitis (an acute or chronic bone infection) set in, I soon lost complete circulation in my foot.  An amputation was inevitable.  On November 4, 2009 I had my right leg amputated below the knee and my world, as I knew it, ended.

I wish I could tell you that the first month or so after my amputation was filled with optimism and hope, but sadly, it wasn’t.  I really wanted to do nothing but lay around in my bed and cry.  I had no idea which direction to take or who to even reach out to.  That’s when fate stepped in and decided to make it happen.

My prosthetist had heard about a one day running/mobility clinic held by the Challenged Athletes Foundation. With nowhere else to turn and very little confidence under my belt, I went.  That day changed my life.  My eyes were opened to an entire world of people who were not only amputees, but also athletes in every sense of the word.  From that day on, I was determined to not let this amputation beat me.  I had to find a way to not just survive, but thrive.
And that’s exactly what I did.

So what does Fit Nation mean to me?  In one word: EVERYTHING!  It means having the life that I used to have.  It means being active, being competitive, having a purpose.  Though I do have some fears (okay, maybe more than some) about becoming a triathlete, I realize that they’re the same fears I had when I faced my amputation.  I’ve never let the fear of the unknown stop me before and I’m not going to let that happen now.

So, yes, on November 4, 2009, my world as I knew it, did end. But the beauty of it is that an entire new world opened up to me.

That’s what CAF does; we get people back in the game of life through sports. I was reminded of this very thing as I stepped up to the plate  during a Sport Chalet  hosted softball game  that I attended with fellow CAF athlete Denise Castelli , (a game that left me more sore than a 20 mile training run, but more on  that later).  The last time I had stepped up to bat was when I was 12 years old (that’s 22 years ago) and after I foul tipped the first pitch the first thing that came out of my mouth was, “look out guys, the last time I did this I had 2 legs!”

The softball game was part of the launch of a very exciting new partnership for CAF with Sport Chalet and their desire to use what they know best, SPORTS, to give back.

Sport Chalet asked us to speak at their annual managers meeting and play in their softball tournament the next day.  For me, one of the best parts of working at CAF is having the opportunity to meet, spend time with and sometimes even mentor other incredibly inspirational people. One such athlete is Denise Castelli from New Jersey.  Denise is a fired-up collegiate softball player from Jersey who some might say got a tough break in life (literally), but has taken what life has given her and run with it. Denise played softball for the University of New Haven in Connecticut and was one of the Chargers’ speediest base runners. In one life-changing game, with no outs, she got the steal sign, took off for second, and broke into an awkward slide. Her right leg got caught under her left and she felt it snap. She crawled to the base before the tag, but she knew her leg was broken. She had no idea, though, of the complications that would follow and after 37 surgeries, she had to have her right leg amputated. Not only has she bounced back from her own challenge, but she has come back on top! Most recently Denise was a featured ball person at the 2011 US Open. Not only did she qualify for the position, but she ended working in MAJOR matches saved for only the best athletes.

The night before the big game, Denise and I were asked to speak to the Sport Chalet’s retail managers to kick off their busy holiday season. Now that I’ve had the honor of presenting to a number of our supporters, I was feeling pretty confident about my portion of the evening, but Denise on the other hand, was feeling a bit of pressure. I simply reminded her on our long drive up to just speak from the heart, no one knows your story better than you and just by getting up there, the audience will love you. She did great!  After our video presentation was over, and I was done rambling on, Denise got up there and stole the show. She spoke from the heart, told her story about learning to run again at one of our clinics, gave her thanks to Sport Chalet for supporting CAF and coined the theme for the rest of the evening, “Congratulations to all of you at Sport Chalet, you are now in the business of giving back.”

As for the softball tournament the next day; it was HIGHLY competitive and Denise and I set on opposing teams. After playing 7 games each, luck will have it, she and I ended up playing each other in the championship game.  During that final game I must have lost track of the score because I was told later that my triple in the 9th put my team in the lead and later, gave us the win.  I was too busy reveling in the fact that I was in the game… I was “playing” again! When I lost my leg at the age of 13, I thought I had lost the ability to ever “play” again. I was wrong because 17 years later, and thanks to the good work of organizations like CAF and Sport Chalet, Denise, I and so many others, are back in the game.  Stepping back up to the plate and seeing Denise standing out there in the outfield, as an amputee athlete, really made me stop and say, “thank you.”

A huge thank-you to Sport Chalet for not only hosting Denise and I but for allowing us to show your employees the value of their commitment and how great it is to be in the business of giving back.

One last highlight just for Denise: I’ll make sure and keep the (MY) trophy shiny until next year’s rematch!

Guest blogger: Arch Fuston, director of the ActiveX Employee Wellness Program at Active Network

Nearly 700 athletes, both physically challenged and able-bodied, will charge a one mile stretch of chilly waves, cycle 44 miles and complete the challenge event with a 10 mile run this weekend at the 18th annual San Diego Triathlon Challenge. Imagine the miles of road biked, trails ran and laps conquered that got these athletes to this day. After witnessing this amazing athletic feat on Sunday morning, October 23, at La Jolla Shores, spectators will be hard pressed not to be inspired.

The relationship between CAF and Active Network runs deep and this year, and we’re excited to support CAF to get the roughly 4,000 inspired event spectators active themselves.

I’m inspired to…
Our mission is similar to CAF’s in that we strive to connect people to the things they love, want and need to do. This Sunday, we hope that our Active.com booth will be a motivational hub where onlookers can gather, meet inspirational athletes and learn ways that they themselves can get active. Stop by our booth – we would love to meet you!
• Share. Let others know how the event inspired you to get active in your community with our “I’m Inspired” stickers
• Be inspired. CAF athletes and the Voice of Ironman, Mike Reilly, will be at the booth throughout the day signing autographs
• Find ways to get active. We’ll show you how to get active on the go with our new Active.com Couch-to-5K mobile app and how to sign up for activities near you
• Support. Donate to CAF onsite at our booth and be registered to win an Active.com cycling jersey
• Can’t attend? Follow all the action live via our Corporate Twitter handle, @ActiveNetwork

Well, there are a lot of answers to that question: there’re the combined efforts – blood, sweat and tears – of dedicated CAF staffers, volunteers and athletes that work to the bitter end making sure every T is crossed and I dotted; and then there’s the ceaseless generosity of CAF supporters that step in like angels in Earthly clothes. Dan Williamson is one of these “angels” – he is the man behind SDTC’s Title Sponsor, Aspen Medical Products.

This is Aspen Medical Product’s third year as the Title Sponsor of SDTC, and 11^th year overall as a significant supporter. Aspen Medical Products is a leader in the design, development and marketing of spinal immobilization products, which means that it is highly involved in the physically challenged community. So it seems like having this company as the Title Sponsor is a perfect fit, and it is – their presence is strongly felt at SDTC. AMP’s employees are given the opportunity to involve themselves in the weekend of events and Dan Williamson has even competed in the triathlon challenge.

President and CEO of Aspen Medical Products, Dan Williamson says, “CAF’s mission of helping people with physical challenges find the athlete within aligns extremely with our company’s core values,” – a company Dan founded after a distinguished career in corporate America where he achieved senior executive status with American Hospital Supply Corporation and Baxter International. Dan left Baxter International in 1988 to first serve as Chief Financial Officer and then General Manger of another medical device firm in California before founding Aspen Medical Products in 1993.

As SDTC nears, and we prepare for what has come to be known as “The Best Day in Triathlon,” CAF would like to take the time to thank Dan Williamson and Aspen Medical Products.  As one of SDTC’s longest-serving sponsors, Aspen Medical Products has helped grow SDTC from a $49,000 fundraiser to an event that raises over $1 million each year for physically challenged individuals world-wide.

By Roy Perkins, Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Development

On Sunday, at the Deni + Jeff Jacobs Challenged Athletes Center, CAF wrapped up its third DODGE Paratriathlon Camp with 16 paratriathletes from three disability classes enjoying a comprehensive, two-and-a-half-day technical training weekend.  Thanks to generous sponsorship from DODGE and the stellar coaching efforts of Mark Sortino and John Murray from the Multisport Performance Institute, Iron-prosthetist Peter Harsch and four-time Ironman World Champion in the Handcycle Division, Carlos Moleda, and with support from elite CAF athletes Jon Beeson, Melissa Stockwell and Mike Johnston, the camp was a smashing success.

Through our DODGE CAF camps, we continue to make great progress in building American participation in the sport of Paratriathlon from the grassroots up – identifying, motivating and empowering the talent that could be on the starting line at the Rio Paralympics in 2016.  We like to refer to these events as the “Camp of Champs” since a good portion of our 60+ camp alumni have ascended podiums in domestic and international competitions.

As you can imagine, playing host to 16 challenged athletes, three mentors and four coaches can be a logistically dense, complicated and sometimes thankless affair.  On Saturday afternoon, after a two day grind of early alarms and late clean-ups,  I was feeling just a little bit grouchy.  Then Billy Lister, an ambulatory 29 year-old-athlete from New York City with paralysis on his left side resulting from a stroke he suffered at age 16, helped me make a major attitude adjustment. 

Earlier, at the personalized bike fitting each athlete receives as part of the camp, we determined that Billy probably was not ready to join our planned Saturday group ride, since he hadn’t been on a  bike since his injury, and he has limited use of his left arm.  It just wouldn’t be responsible to put him out on the rolling San Diego hills on a bike that wasn’t properly adapted for his needs. I broke the news to him and asked him instead to help me “sag” for the other riders.  Though disappointment was written all over Billy’s face, he didn’t complain or pout.  “Whatever you need,” was all he said.  Billy was a great help over the next two hours as we distributed drinks, picked up a couple of athletes who experienced mechanical problems, and generally made sure that everyone was safe and comfortable.

That night, before the final camp dinner, Billy approached me and asked if maybe he could try to ride a bit.  I was a bit apprehensive at first, but decided the time had come to take off the training wheels.  I grabbed Mark and had him quickly set up Billy on my trusty size 54 Cervelo R3.  I put the bike in an easy gear, and behind the building, Billy buckled his helmet and cautiously swung his leg over top tube.  He secured his left hand on the handlebars and nodded that he was ready.

As I held on to the back of the seat, we began to slowly circle the facility.  Leaning into the first turn, I could feel Billy accelerate and I struggled to keep up, running behind him to make sure he stayed rubber side down.  Suddenly, I heard him laughing.  “I am riding a bike for the first time in 14 years,” he chortled into the onrushing wind.  “You can’t see my face right now, but I am wearing a huge smile!”

Luckily, Billy couldn’t see my face either.  After a few laps of the DJJCAC, I was having my own emotional moment.  I must confess that I was more than a little misty eyed, but I will swear up and down to anyone who asks that I was suffering from allergies.  At CAF, I have an assiduously cultivated reputation as an unrepentant stoic.  Billy’s triumphant ride brought me perilously close to blowing my cover.

CAF Board President and Co-Founder Jeffrey Essakow often tells me that the greatest gift you can give to another human being is the “gift of freedom.”  Billy – I hope for at least a brief moment you experienced that freedom, and I know that your determination and positive attitude will serve you well on your journey to becoming a successful paratriathlete. 

To Billy and all the other athletes who joined us last weekend at the DODGE Paratriathlon camp, all I can say is this:  Thanks for reminding me why I do this job.

Some of our more experienced surfers, like below-the-knee amputee Bobby Donnelly, were surfing like pros, the only noticeable difference between them and their able-bodied surfing peers being the glistening reflection off a carbon fiber leg through the water.  Bobby, an Operation Rebound athlete who had a love of surfing before losing his leg, chatted with some of the younger challenged athletes, giving them tips on the easiest way to pop up and keep balance on the board.   Another Operation Rebound athlete was joined by his 13 year old daughter for a joint surfing lesson from a volunteer instructor.  Besides the smiles and laughter between them as she helped bring her Dad his prosthetic when their lesson ended, by-standers could see something even more valuable occurring.  The surfing clinic helped show this father that his disability has no hindrance on the experiences he gets to share with his daughter.  Family members are encouraged to accompany their challenged athlete to clinics so they too can gain a level of knowledge and comfort around the new adaptive techniques and equipment.  

In 2008, the NMCD exercise physiologist approached CAF Operation Rebound about helping an injured soldier surf.  The soldier, Wally Fanene, grew up surfing and wanted to continue doing so despite losing an arm and a leg to an IED in Iraq.  CAF Operation Rebound facilitated a weekly surf clinic for Wally with the Del Mar Lifeguards.  Within weeks after the first clinic, more injured NMCSD troops starting joining Wally on the waves. NMCSD staff quickly recognized the positive impact from Wally’s surfing and included it as part of his as well as other troops’ rehabilitation program. 

The weekly surf clinic is a joint venture of the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the NMCSD Balboa Warrior Athlete Program.  The success of the clinic has led to its expansion to include boogie boarding, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.  NMCSD has also officially incorporated the weekly surf clinic as an official part of the troops’ rehabilitation program.  For more information about the surf clinic please contact: nico@challengedathletes.org.

Sarah Reinertsen and Kaela Cruz

At only five-years-old, when other kids are worrying about learning how to tie their shoes, Kaela faced a far more insidious challenge:  Osteosarcoma.  She beat the cancer, but to save her life, her leg was amputated above the knee. Her charm and grace were on full display when she took the stage at the first Heroes, Heart and Hope Gala 2006, where a promise was made… when Kaela was ready, CAF would make sure she had a running foot. Now, five years later that promise is being honored, as Kaela receives that foot from CAF and Ossur and takes her next strides towards overcoming limitations.

Kaela will be one of the featured athletes at the 2011 A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope on June 8th at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC.  For more details or to register please visit: 

www.heroesheartandhope.com.

 Col. Gadson will be one of the featured athletes at the 2011 A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope on June 8th at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC.  For more details or to register please visit www.heroesheartandhope.com.

It had been almost eight months since my last race in Budapest, Hungary.  Eight months lifting weights; refining my swim stroke; spending countless hours with Spinervals; and eight months finally learning to run.  As I lined up at the start line with fellow challenged athletes Scout Bassett and Pamela Khater it still hadn’t hit me that race season was actually starting; that I get to find out if the last eight months were well spent.

BANG!!!  The starting gun fired and we fired off into the water.  Something was different this time – not only was I neck and neck with the speedsters in my wave … it was easy!  I believe we refer to this as being Zen with the water, being one with the water.  I exited Lake San Antonio shaving around 6 minutes and, more importantly, not gasping for air!
The bike at Wildflower starts off with a vertical climb up the infamous Lynch Hill.  I knew my performance would completely hinge on how I handled this.  Last year I zig-zagged the ‘paper boy’ and consequently blew up … this year I simply put my head down and went to work.  Much smoother; much stronger.  The rest of the hills seemed less daunting as I conservatively managed the rest of the ride – I still had to walk one climb (as opposed to five last year) and I dropped my chain on another.  These two mistakes would cost me later.

My original plan coming into T2 was to spend some extra time stretching and hydrating before the run, instead I had my fastest T2 ever – I guess that’s what happens when they put a camera on you! 
The run started and immediately I was in trouble.  I was under-hydrated and muscles were firing that I didn’t even know I had.  The first part of the run was filled with terrible terrain and things hurt, badly.  At the second aid station I was finally rehydrated and was able to run the flats and downhills – the uphills were laborious and the lower back was screaming and spasming like a pissed off two year old child.  Keep fighting; keep competing; keep moving forward!

The last mile was a straight descent down the aforementioned Lynch Hill and I tried hitting it as hard as I could – I wanted desperately to do a sub-4 hour Wildflower and I knew I was right on the border.  About halfway down the hill I could feel my quad begin to flutter and spasm – okay, relax.  About two-thirds down the hill my hammy decided to bounce around too – hold it together baby!  Three-quarters down the hill and my calf decided to join the party – not so good.

The descent flattens out and immediately goes into the finish chute and as I made the turn into the straight away my sound-side leg wasn’t firing right.  Simultaneously Nick from TriCal boisterously announced my arrival as I did my best gimp-limp to hurtle my aching body towards the finish.  With my teeth gritting, eyes wincing and really not looking pretty at all the deafening cheers of the crowd lifted me to the line.  And, just as my timing chip signaled the end of my race, I caught my prosthetic toe on the rug and SPLAT!!!

FULL. ON. TOTAL. FACE. PLANT. … And I had no intention of getting up.

I was done.  I was exhausted.  I had nothing left to give.  I was filled with a lot of hurt and a lot of pain and it felt wonderful. … My venture into para-triathlon began five years ago.  It’s been five years filled with a lot of bad days; a lot of disappointments and frustration; a lot of failures and mistakes; and a lot of injuries.  Five years of dreaming what it would feel like to race on my terms – fighting, competing.  Five years of believing I could do something, but not being able to prove it.  Thus, in some warped way that is my life, falling down one more time was the only appropriate way to celebrate ‘my’ first race.
At the end of the day I hack-sawed 48 minutes off last years’ debacle which means I spent the last eight months doing something right.  I missed the 4-hour mark by 2 minutes 35 seconds which means, yes, I will dream of the chain I dropped and the one hill I walked.  However, at the end of the day, it was a lot easier to smile;-)
Like I said, this one was personal.