My name is Alec and although living with cerebral palsy has shaped every part of my journey, it has never defined my limits. Very early on, sports became my outlet. What started as a way to stay active quickly turned into my greatest source of strength, confidence, and purpose. Running taught me discipline. Training taught me resilience. And pushing my body farther than anyone thought possible taught me that the human spirit is stronger than any diagnosis.

This year, I proved that to myself, and the world, by setting the Guinness World Record for the fastest half marathon run by an athlete with cerebral palsy. Crossing that finish line wasn’t just a personal victory. It was a statement for every person with a disability who has been told what they can’t do. It was a reminder that barriers are meant to be challenged, and expectations are meant to be rewritten.

My name is Maddie and I’m an athlete from Massachusetts who fell in love with the sport of wheelchair racing after watching the Boston Marathon as a young child. I started racing at age five in a wheelchair my parents found for me, and since then, athletics has become a huge part of my life. I’ve been fortunate to set the USA national record in the U17 women’s para 3,000 meters, earn multiple state championship titles, and make history as the first women’s para athlete to compete at the New Balance Nationals Indoor championships. One of my proudest early accomplishments was becoming the youngest female to complete the Falmouth Road Race at just seven years old.

My dream is to one day win the Boston Marathon wheelchair race and represent the United States at the Paralympic Games. Every race I compete in is driven by my passion for sport and my desire to show what’s possible through dedication, resilience, and opportunity.

My name is Zach and I’m a long-distance triathlete with a rare type of disproportionate dwarfism called Ellis Van Creveld Syndrome. I have a long torso with short limbs. Triathlon has encouraged me to push myself past what I thought were my limits and become more confident in myself physically and mentally. In 2023, I finished a 70.3 distance triathlon in under 5 hours; becoming the first with my condition to do so and now I hope to extend that goal to the full distance by going sub 10 hours. 

I’ve been affiliated with Adaptx since January 2022, and it has changed my life. I have not only become more confident in myself and my ability to perform physically, but representing something bigger than me, like AdaptX, has given this triathlon journey purpose. I hope to continue my journey promoting inclusion in sport.

My name is Kade and I was born with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, but from the very beginning, I’ve loved sports. Growing up, I tried soccer, basketball, tennis, swim, running, and triathlon. As I got older, I fell in love with endurance sports and now run cross country, swim, compete in distance track, and race triathlon. I compete in both the adaptive sports world and the able-bodied sports world. I train every day so I can be competitive in an able-bodied world with no compromise. I want to be treated like everyone else.

As I look ahead to 2026 and 2027, my athletic goals are clear: I want to be part of a traditional NCAA cross country and track team. I am a senior in high school now, and I’m beginning the process of finding a team. With the right opportunities and support, I know I can continue breaking barriers for myself and for the next generation of adaptive athletes.

I was born in Puerto Rico with a foot deformity that led to an amputation when I was one. A few months later, I received my first prosthetic leg. When I was eight, I joined an organization called DASA. I began with swimming and, after much convincing, decided to try track. Shortly after, I joined their competition team and started competing across the United States. I began breaking national records for my age, and for the first time, I realized I could reach the big stage if I truly wanted to.

In 2024, I competed in my first Paralympic Games in Paris for the long jump and have now attended two World Championships. Sports have profoundly shaped my life. They gave me a sense of belonging and surrounded me with people who share the same determination and drive. Physical activity has made me strong, not just physically but mentally. Through sport, I’ve gained discipline, accountability, resilience, and a deep belief in what I can achieve. Today, I proudly share my story, including the imperfect and difficult parts at many DASA events and other speaking opportunities. I consider myself an advocate not only for people with disabilities but also for those facing mental health challenges.

I have lived most of my life with dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that affects coordination and mobility. Crossing my first finish line shifted my perspective from what dystonia had taken from me to what I could reclaim. Triathlon became my therapy, my community, and my voice, leading me to create Dyfying Dystonia, an awareness and fundraising initiative supporting neurological research and advocacy. In recognition of this work, I received the 2017 Changemaker of the Year Award from Neurological Health Charities of Canada.

Since then, I have completed multiple Ironman 70.3 events and one full Ironman, adapting to the unpredictable challenges dystonia presents through modified training, assistive equipment, and persistence. In July 2025, I was officially classified as a PTS4 paratriathlete, marking the beginning of a new chapter with the goal of representing Canada at the Paralympic Games. Above all, my journey is about showing others that strength isn’t defined by ease or perfection, but rather by the decision to keep showing up.

I was born with Recessive Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia. With the help of mentors, I have met other athletes with disabilities, discovered a passion for sports, and began competing in track. Wheelchair racing has helped me reach new levels of independence and performance.

My short-term goals include winning another state championship in the 100m dash as well as competing at the Move United Nationals. In the future I hope to compete at the Paralympics with friends I have made across the country who have become my second family. Adaptive sports have given me a sense of belonging and purpose and I am excited to see where my hard work and dedication can take me.