Pan American Disabled Badminton Championships

My Story.

As long as I can remember I have wanted to represent my country in an athletic competition. The only problem was that I was born with a disease called Neurofibromatosis I. A side effect of this was a very weak right tibia, which resulted in my leg being broken on and off from the age of 14 months until just before my 17th birthday. This resulted in my having lots of surgeries and always being in a cast or brace until about a month before my 17th birthday when my right foot was amputated. While most would think the amputation would be very hard, it was the best decision that I have ever made. I may have lost my physical foot but I never felt like I had one in the first place. It finally opened up a bigger athletic world. I spent many years focused on bicycle racing and pursuing that. I just never quite worked out they way I envisioned.

About Badminton

I played badminton in college some, and really enjoyed it, but never pursued it because there were not competitions for people with disabilities. That was until this year, when I found out that badminton is a new sport for the disabled. Unlike any other disabled sport with racquets, there are standing categories. I finally found the sport I think can be successfull at.

What the money is for.

I am raising money to go to the Para(disabled) Pan American Badminton Championships. They are being held in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The money would be used to cover the air fare to Guatemala City ( which is currently running from 400 to 500 US dollars. It would also be used to cover the expense of the Hotel for the competition. It would also cover any other training expenses, like using the correct shuttles to train with. I could not afford to do this without the help of others.

Rewards.

If you donate more then 10 dollars I will send you a hand made thank you card done in a paper art style that I work with. If you donate more then 50 dollars then i will create a custom piece of cut paper art for you.