Help E.D.S.ther to the Adaptive CrossFit Games Finals Texas

“CrossFit is my job, I earn my life with it!”

It is January 2012, when I, Esther de Roo, after more than 30 years of misunderstood complaints and an intensive rehabilitation process, I am diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome.

The only thing I can do at that moment is walk short distances with the stroller as support. With a lot of pain and effort, I manage to take care of my family.

In the year that follows, a second rehabilitation process is started, but the intended results are lacking. In my search for help, I ended up at CrossFit Gymert and they see opportunities to work with me.

I start by participating in a group training once a week, which is given outside of the regular classes. It literally takes blood, sweat and tears. Outside of training, I spent a lot of time in bed. I often wondered if this was really wise, but with the help of my trainer I became more and more physically and mentally resilient.

In the CrossFit box I was also introduced to a different way of eating: vegetables, meat and fish, seeds and nuts, a little fruit, a little carbohydrate and no sugars.

As I changed my lifestyle, my self-confidence grew, and I was able to focus on what I could do! That even got me a job as a village supporter in which I supported residents of my village in the field of care and welfare.

In the past eleven years, I have used my energy to improve physically. In addition, I started participating in adapted (scaled) CrossFit competitions and I even placed myself in first place in the adjusted division during the Tiglon 2 qualification. I experienced myself that CrossFit is ideally suited to adapt to the possibilities of a limited athlete, so that they can often participate in regular classes. Despite many physical challenges in the past decade (thrombosis leg, pulmonary embolism, post thrombotic syndrome, autonomic dysfunction, Tietze's syndrome, the muscle disease Neuralgic amyotrophy, etc.) and various rehabilitations, I always managed to keep CrossFit.

This year I managed to reach the finals of the Adaptive CrossFit Games. It will be held in September in San Antonio – Texas, USA.

I think it would be a once in a lifetime experience to be able to participate on this world stage!

With my participation I will be able to raise awareness of Adapted CrossFit but also to motivate people with disabilities to do a (modified) sport!

I need your help!

Unfortunately, to be able to go to Texas as an adapted athlete, a lot of money is needed!

Think of the flight, accommodation, medical support, support during the trip and stay, special food, clothing, and equipment, etc, etc.

That's why I wanted to ask you humble to contribute.

Many, many thanks,

Esther (E.D.S.ther)