Disabled Veteran Hit by Truck

Dustin Baker served in the U.S Air Force from 1999-2006 where his service was cut short due to a spinal cord injury while serving in the middle east in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Northern Watch. While this injury ended his active duty career he returned to federal service for another 8 years as a government servant with the Navy Special Warfighting group and the U.S Air Force Climatologycenter. The injury sustained resulted in paralysis in both legs and severe PTSD symptoms. Over time Dustin learned to adapt to his disabilities and found a new passion in handcycling.

He is now a Para-athlete (H4) that competes in the sport of handcycling. He has completed the Detroit Marathon 6 times (Placing 2nd in the most recent), Boston Marathon 6 times (Placing 2nd in the most recent), New York City Marathon 1 time, Marine Corps Marathon twice, and the Disney half marathon twice. He has completed the (and won) the Myrtle Beach marathon 4 years in a row, and the Air Force Marathon once. In addition, he has completed numerous time trials, road races, and criteriums

across the country. He has competed in 2 U.S Paralympic Opens (Placed 5th and 6th) over the past two years and 4 U.S National Championships, and in the most recent, he podiumed twice. He has won the Tennessee State time trial championship for the last 4 years, the NC/SC time trial championship for the last 4 years, and most recently, the Georgia Time trial Championship.

Dustin also works with several organizations to promote Veteran's needs and healthy lifestyles for disabled athletes. He has been a panelist for Cigna Health for discussions on resilience in disabled athletes and worked with Achillies International to help new athletes wanting to enter the sport, and currently works with the VA to help regional veterans wanting to learn to ride by providing loaner bikes, building training plans, and helping them with VA paperwork to obtain their own handcycle.

Currently, Dustin has been selected for the U.S Paralympic Talent ID camp in Colorado Springs and is joining the U.S National team for the World Cup races in Canada in August. His overall goal is to make a run for the next Paralympic team.

All of these activities are for the most part self-funded, resulting in high costs for travel, bike maintenance, entry fees, and other general costs around competing at a professional level. The two above-mentioned flights alone are over $2,000. The hotel in Canada is over $1,500. Anything is appreciated in getting him to his goals. He is the most humble person you will ever know.

**If you own a business and are wanting to be a regular sponsor, the sponsorship proposal is the link below**

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jnoQmCYjKfOf6GuIydLXLmRwHZYyKNgc2p_8nU2OXag/edit?usp=sharing