Help Dorian Make TeamUSA-Paracanoe
Donation protected
My name is Dorian Taylor. I'm an adaptive athlete with a dream to represent the U.S. in international Paralympic competition. To make that gold come true, I have to compete in the sprint kayak trials in Georgia on April 29-30, 2016. If I do well enough there, I get to represent the U.S. on the Team USA canoe kayak team in the 2016 Canoe Sprint ICF World Cup at Duisburg, Germany!
My story
After years of illness and misdiagnosis, I learned that the many symptoms I was suffering, including muscle spasms that began slowly but increased in frequency and intensity, would cause me to lose my ability to walk. My official diagnosis is t8 incomplete paraplegia caused by Lupus myelopathy vs non organic etiology. It's a mouthful!
I have been a wheelchair user for over 4 years now. The loss of my ability to maintain employment during the time I fought for a diagnosis and the eventual loss of my ability to walk led to extreme hardship and even the loss of my home. But I also learned the beauty of being able to move my body to the best of my ability. I could frequently be found getting everywhere I needed to go on the streets of Portland, Oregon. In fact, my skill navigating my wheels caught the eye of artist and writer Intisar Abioto,
who profiled me in Black Portlanders. My story was the first in her series.
Two years ago, I moved to Seattle, where I found many more connections, including those within the adaptive sports community. I began to play ice hockey in the winter and loved it.
It was recommended that I meet the kayaking team. When I did, I found my home on the water.
This is a goal within reach!
My coach, Dan Henderson, director of the Cascade Canoe and Kayak Racing Team, has been a canoe/kayak coach for 26 years, U.S. team leader and coach at the World Championships, and club coach to 3 able-bodied Olympians.
Earlier this year, he said this about me:
"I’ve been coaching Dorian for a little over one year and am impressed with her athletic ability. She gains fitness very quickly, has dramatically improved her paddling technique, and is able to focus and paddle with great determination. She is clearly the top female paddler in her category in the region, certainly has the potential to be a top national level Paracanoeist and there’s a good likelihood that she can compete internationally as well."
But I need your help
Unlike many other countries, U.S. competitive athletes are self-funded until they reach a certain level. I really want to compete internationally, and I'm determined to win, but I cannot possibly afford the costs. To compete in the Georgia regatta, I'll need funds for boat transport, airfare, ground transportation, food and lodging, and race entry.
I need $1,200 of the full amount as a deposit by March 15. And another $1,800 by the end of March.
Will you help?
I promise to do my part and train every day to be in the best shape I can, but I need your help to make it to Georgia.
I'm truly grateful for anything you can spare!
My story
After years of illness and misdiagnosis, I learned that the many symptoms I was suffering, including muscle spasms that began slowly but increased in frequency and intensity, would cause me to lose my ability to walk. My official diagnosis is t8 incomplete paraplegia caused by Lupus myelopathy vs non organic etiology. It's a mouthful!
I have been a wheelchair user for over 4 years now. The loss of my ability to maintain employment during the time I fought for a diagnosis and the eventual loss of my ability to walk led to extreme hardship and even the loss of my home. But I also learned the beauty of being able to move my body to the best of my ability. I could frequently be found getting everywhere I needed to go on the streets of Portland, Oregon. In fact, my skill navigating my wheels caught the eye of artist and writer Intisar Abioto,
who profiled me in Black Portlanders. My story was the first in her series.
Two years ago, I moved to Seattle, where I found many more connections, including those within the adaptive sports community. I began to play ice hockey in the winter and loved it.
It was recommended that I meet the kayaking team. When I did, I found my home on the water.
This is a goal within reach!
My coach, Dan Henderson, director of the Cascade Canoe and Kayak Racing Team, has been a canoe/kayak coach for 26 years, U.S. team leader and coach at the World Championships, and club coach to 3 able-bodied Olympians.
Earlier this year, he said this about me:
"I’ve been coaching Dorian for a little over one year and am impressed with her athletic ability. She gains fitness very quickly, has dramatically improved her paddling technique, and is able to focus and paddle with great determination. She is clearly the top female paddler in her category in the region, certainly has the potential to be a top national level Paracanoeist and there’s a good likelihood that she can compete internationally as well."
But I need your help
Unlike many other countries, U.S. competitive athletes are self-funded until they reach a certain level. I really want to compete internationally, and I'm determined to win, but I cannot possibly afford the costs. To compete in the Georgia regatta, I'll need funds for boat transport, airfare, ground transportation, food and lodging, and race entry.
I need $1,200 of the full amount as a deposit by March 15. And another $1,800 by the end of March.
Will you help?
I promise to do my part and train every day to be in the best shape I can, but I need your help to make it to Georgia.
I'm truly grateful for anything you can spare!
Organizer
Dorian Taylor
Organizer
Austin, TX