A Race for Hope
Donation protected
Hello all! This is another significant update to this campaign so I decided to make changes within.
My name is Trent Fielder and I am on an incredible journey. Here is some recent history that started this mission. I was paralyzed in 2011 by a condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome. in 2012, another condition called Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy added to the already difficult situation. In 2013, a surgical attempt was made to alleviate the pain these conditions brought on my body. This procedure failed and damaged my T-10 vertebrae, leaving me without mobility or feeling in my legs.
I’ve spent the last 4 years dedicating myself to a message. That message is HOPE. HOPE is the only way to serve others. We can all give HOPE to others in our actions and words. We are not separated by the suffering in our lives, but instead, are closer together because of the things that happen to us. We are not alone in this life or in the fights that are to come.
Many people know me that I talk often of UNCONVENTIONAL HOPE. Too often, we put ourselves in a situation where we see things only one way. Perhaps we think HOPE can only be found in a book, an earthly relationship or elsewhere. We fail to look to the horizon of HOPE and see it exists in so many ways, many of those we might not have thought of before.
This is what I believe: We each have a calling to help others. I am blessed to have many wounded veterans and first responders I consider my tribe. Unfortunately, each day that number dwindles down. Each day many of these individuals lose HOPE and take their own lives at an alarming rate. Families are devastated, heroes mourn and suffer internally as they continue to fight the struggles of their calling.
I have fought for years to do what I can to bring UNCONVENTIONAL HOPE to the lives of others. In 2018, I took on the task of raising awareness by completing a half-Ironman in New Orleans. Each officer or military personnel that I passed by, I would tip my hat to them and tell them I was doing this for them. Despite major injuries to my shoulders and biceps, I finished the race and I did the last .2 mile upright on my legs.
What came of that event in the following months and years was the beginning of more civilian awareness and a stronger movement to support our population of heroes. Each opportunity to speak publicly about HOPE to these groups plus teaching others how to become engaged in supporting veterans and first responders proved the mission was just beginning. After years of surgeries, the mission is ready to move forward again.
On May 22, 2022, I have decided to compete in Tulsa IRONMAN. This is a 140.6 mile race, from 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and, finally, a 26.2 mile run. I am determined to complete the 26.2 mile race upright on my legs, despite my paralysis. It can be done in the name of HOPE, but, admittedly, I have come across some major hurdles along the way.
I took a huge risk on going ahead and buying a competitive bike which I have continued to train on. It is made by Carbon-Bike. It is 20 lbs lighter than my previous one, better equipped for the longer race, and will give me a flat, more aerodynamic seating position to help protect my spine and optimize breathing. It cost me $10,200.00 at the time. We had originally planned to race the IM Indiana in October 2021 but due to unforeseen emergency medical procedures and additional struggles, both my coach and I had to withdraw.
In the months after, I continued to train and plan for potential opportunities to race. I signed up for Tulsa but, as we came closer, I realized I could no longer afford my bike. I sold it at a loss but have managed the ability to use the bike for Tulsa. I have included a picture of the bike for you to see. Ive been blessed with so many people around me doing the additional custom needs for my head, the support for my back and grips, etc. to ensure the best fit and ride for me.
Tulsa is more for me than just a competitive opportunity. In the last few months we have continued to see our first responder population suffer greatly, both physically and spiritually. As I battled with trying to afford the bike, I prayed about the race and how to help them experience HOPE. We encountered some help financially with the hotel encouragement from others. More positive things continued to come to the front.
My daughter said to me the other day when I was faced with the final decision on withdraw or see it through. She said, "Daddy, with everything that is happening, I believe God wants you in this race. She is right. We are committed to this race in every way one can be. I am dedicating the time, prayer, effort in the swim, bike and running. I have added to my training team a professional body builder and strongman who are both giving me additional stability in my body to thrive the 17 hours.
It is the hardest thing for me to accept help let alone seek it. It is humbling but it also teaches us something when we have to do it. It reminds us we are not alone. I want to keep my bike. I want to continue to ride and thrive with my wife and kids. After the race, I plan to apply to the local police department to be a police officer and serve on the front lines with them. My training team and family are aware of this and support me 100%.
Admittedly, I did not share this GoFundme as much as I should almost a ten months ago when we set it up. I know, even more than before, why I am fighting, who I am fighting for, who I want to be proud of me and what I want to be proud of. I am a servant and blessed to do so. I do not use the word HOPE without inflection. It should be felt, heard, even shouted out so others can understand its purpose. HOPE revitalizes a broken spirit; HOPE provides peace when we are weary and it most certainly HEALS the broke hearted or wounded.
The money will be used exclusively to:
Save the bike which cost $10,200
Hotel Costs: $900 - I was able to secure a good deal at $179 plus tax in Tulsa. Due to the PGA event the same weekend, I am forced to use 4 days. That is the cost with tax.
Nutrition: The cost of food is going to be outrageous as is the cost of gas. I am trying to plan ahead but also work with the limitations of where we are staying. I believe it will be approximately $250-$300.
Gas: Every day this goes up. Right now we are at 4.40 a gallon. With two cars, our current estimates are around $600 for gas and that is on the low end.
Tri-suit - because I won the USAT Championship, I qualify for a specific USA Tri-suit. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Even with the athlete discount, it will be $300. I’ve enclosed pictures.
Training/Coaching - I will need at least an additional 3 months of coaching for post race, future plans and a cooldown/regimen to recover and prepare in the same season. If I end up not being able to race, I am applying to be a police officer locally and there is some prep, as an adaptive individual, to make me successful.
Prayer will always be the greatest gift as I will need that in the months ahead and on the day of the event as I try to do something which hasn't been done before. If you see in your heart or your ability to support me in getting this bike or helping me with the expenses of the race, it will go to great use and will continue to be a part of the ultimate goal which is UNCONVENTIONAL HOPE.
We now have a website which details the story and the mission. Please take a look at www.trentfielder.com. On the site there is a store where purchases can be made. 100% of the profits from each purchase go to military and first responder charities.
God bless,
T
Here are links to stories done on the journey to date:
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article260668632.html?ac_cid=DM646911&ac_bid=-113777202
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/once-paralyzed-north-texas-man-fueled-by-faith-finishes-half-ironman/287-623388878?fbclid=IwAR3FEhy9BIP0ZCv0D6W7la9uk5gCB2tunftmJxZolOdfCUcn7MoKS8r8xSc
Updated video interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT2gw6ZbLo4&t=2s
My name is Trent Fielder and I am on an incredible journey. Here is some recent history that started this mission. I was paralyzed in 2011 by a condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome. in 2012, another condition called Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy added to the already difficult situation. In 2013, a surgical attempt was made to alleviate the pain these conditions brought on my body. This procedure failed and damaged my T-10 vertebrae, leaving me without mobility or feeling in my legs.
I’ve spent the last 4 years dedicating myself to a message. That message is HOPE. HOPE is the only way to serve others. We can all give HOPE to others in our actions and words. We are not separated by the suffering in our lives, but instead, are closer together because of the things that happen to us. We are not alone in this life or in the fights that are to come.
Many people know me that I talk often of UNCONVENTIONAL HOPE. Too often, we put ourselves in a situation where we see things only one way. Perhaps we think HOPE can only be found in a book, an earthly relationship or elsewhere. We fail to look to the horizon of HOPE and see it exists in so many ways, many of those we might not have thought of before.
This is what I believe: We each have a calling to help others. I am blessed to have many wounded veterans and first responders I consider my tribe. Unfortunately, each day that number dwindles down. Each day many of these individuals lose HOPE and take their own lives at an alarming rate. Families are devastated, heroes mourn and suffer internally as they continue to fight the struggles of their calling.
I have fought for years to do what I can to bring UNCONVENTIONAL HOPE to the lives of others. In 2018, I took on the task of raising awareness by completing a half-Ironman in New Orleans. Each officer or military personnel that I passed by, I would tip my hat to them and tell them I was doing this for them. Despite major injuries to my shoulders and biceps, I finished the race and I did the last .2 mile upright on my legs.
What came of that event in the following months and years was the beginning of more civilian awareness and a stronger movement to support our population of heroes. Each opportunity to speak publicly about HOPE to these groups plus teaching others how to become engaged in supporting veterans and first responders proved the mission was just beginning. After years of surgeries, the mission is ready to move forward again.
On May 22, 2022, I have decided to compete in Tulsa IRONMAN. This is a 140.6 mile race, from 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and, finally, a 26.2 mile run. I am determined to complete the 26.2 mile race upright on my legs, despite my paralysis. It can be done in the name of HOPE, but, admittedly, I have come across some major hurdles along the way.
I took a huge risk on going ahead and buying a competitive bike which I have continued to train on. It is made by Carbon-Bike. It is 20 lbs lighter than my previous one, better equipped for the longer race, and will give me a flat, more aerodynamic seating position to help protect my spine and optimize breathing. It cost me $10,200.00 at the time. We had originally planned to race the IM Indiana in October 2021 but due to unforeseen emergency medical procedures and additional struggles, both my coach and I had to withdraw.
In the months after, I continued to train and plan for potential opportunities to race. I signed up for Tulsa but, as we came closer, I realized I could no longer afford my bike. I sold it at a loss but have managed the ability to use the bike for Tulsa. I have included a picture of the bike for you to see. Ive been blessed with so many people around me doing the additional custom needs for my head, the support for my back and grips, etc. to ensure the best fit and ride for me.
Tulsa is more for me than just a competitive opportunity. In the last few months we have continued to see our first responder population suffer greatly, both physically and spiritually. As I battled with trying to afford the bike, I prayed about the race and how to help them experience HOPE. We encountered some help financially with the hotel encouragement from others. More positive things continued to come to the front.
My daughter said to me the other day when I was faced with the final decision on withdraw or see it through. She said, "Daddy, with everything that is happening, I believe God wants you in this race. She is right. We are committed to this race in every way one can be. I am dedicating the time, prayer, effort in the swim, bike and running. I have added to my training team a professional body builder and strongman who are both giving me additional stability in my body to thrive the 17 hours.
It is the hardest thing for me to accept help let alone seek it. It is humbling but it also teaches us something when we have to do it. It reminds us we are not alone. I want to keep my bike. I want to continue to ride and thrive with my wife and kids. After the race, I plan to apply to the local police department to be a police officer and serve on the front lines with them. My training team and family are aware of this and support me 100%.
Admittedly, I did not share this GoFundme as much as I should almost a ten months ago when we set it up. I know, even more than before, why I am fighting, who I am fighting for, who I want to be proud of me and what I want to be proud of. I am a servant and blessed to do so. I do not use the word HOPE without inflection. It should be felt, heard, even shouted out so others can understand its purpose. HOPE revitalizes a broken spirit; HOPE provides peace when we are weary and it most certainly HEALS the broke hearted or wounded.
The money will be used exclusively to:
Save the bike which cost $10,200
Hotel Costs: $900 - I was able to secure a good deal at $179 plus tax in Tulsa. Due to the PGA event the same weekend, I am forced to use 4 days. That is the cost with tax.
Nutrition: The cost of food is going to be outrageous as is the cost of gas. I am trying to plan ahead but also work with the limitations of where we are staying. I believe it will be approximately $250-$300.
Gas: Every day this goes up. Right now we are at 4.40 a gallon. With two cars, our current estimates are around $600 for gas and that is on the low end.
Tri-suit - because I won the USAT Championship, I qualify for a specific USA Tri-suit. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Even with the athlete discount, it will be $300. I’ve enclosed pictures.
Training/Coaching - I will need at least an additional 3 months of coaching for post race, future plans and a cooldown/regimen to recover and prepare in the same season. If I end up not being able to race, I am applying to be a police officer locally and there is some prep, as an adaptive individual, to make me successful.
Prayer will always be the greatest gift as I will need that in the months ahead and on the day of the event as I try to do something which hasn't been done before. If you see in your heart or your ability to support me in getting this bike or helping me with the expenses of the race, it will go to great use and will continue to be a part of the ultimate goal which is UNCONVENTIONAL HOPE.
We now have a website which details the story and the mission. Please take a look at www.trentfielder.com. On the site there is a store where purchases can be made. 100% of the profits from each purchase go to military and first responder charities.
God bless,
T
Here are links to stories done on the journey to date:
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article260668632.html?ac_cid=DM646911&ac_bid=-113777202
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/once-paralyzed-north-texas-man-fueled-by-faith-finishes-half-ironman/287-623388878?fbclid=IwAR3FEhy9BIP0ZCv0D6W7la9uk5gCB2tunftmJxZolOdfCUcn7MoKS8r8xSc
Updated video interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT2gw6ZbLo4&t=2s
Organizer
Trent Fielder
Organizer
Joshua, TX