#caitlynsroadtoRio

Caitlyn was born with Cerebral Palsy after suffering a stroke in utero.   We were told she would never walk or talk when she was finally diagnosed at 7 months old.  Boy, were they wrong!  
We spent most of the time at doctor's, hospitals, therapists, developmental specialists and did whatever we were told would help her develop as many skills as possible.  When she was young, she spent her time trying every sport possible: dancing, playing soccer, horseback riding, cheerleading.   
She joined the Track and Field team in high school, played one season and then was out due to medical issues.  She decided to become the manager and was happy with that until her Senior year. She was out for the entire first semester due to a major surgery on her foot and missed a lot. She chose to make learning to walk again her senior project and by the last meet, she ran a heat of the 100 for the first time in three years. 
When it was time to pick a college she had her heart set on William Jessup University and we went to their preview day.  While there she met the coach of the Track and Field team and he welcomed her, disability and all.
After having a followup sugery her freshman year of college, she decided not to run the first season.  Her Sophomore year, she ran and made new personal records for her 100 and 200 meter run. She ran so fast and worked so hard, she was invited to come to the Paralympics' qualifier meet in St. Paul, Minnesota this June.  She will be in Chico, California for training and will be travelling to Minnesota where she will have to qualify to make it to Rio De Janeiro in 2016. 
Because of her heart, her compassion and her perseverance, please consider helping her to go to Nationals and eventually to Rio. She will NOT disappoint you all!
She plans to work at Shriner's Hospital for Children as a child life specialist when she graduates and continue to inspire and teach children just like her that they can do it too!