Achilles’ Hope & Possibility 5K Run/Walk Comes to Minneapolis

On Saturday, June 17, Trisha Meili, author of I Am The Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility will join Melissa Stockwell, the first female amputee back from Iraq, and participants from across the nation in the inaugural Hope and Possibility in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 5K run/walk, to be held in Hyland Park in Bloomington, is open to the public and is being hosted by the Achilles Track Club in partnership with the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) and sponsored by Otto Bock Healthcare, Minneapolis.

While running through Central Park 16 years ago, Trisha was accosted, beaten, raped, and left for dead. During her rehabilitation, she learned of the Achilles Track Club that encourages distance running for people with all types of disabilities. She eventually ran again and completed two New York City Marathons, the first with Achilles President and Founder Dick Traum. Now, she's Achilles' chairman of the board.

Melissa Stockwell could not believe she lost her leg, yet didn't hesitate to sign up with the Achilles Freedom Team, a "running" group of wounded veterans back from Iraq and Afghanistan. The program to provide goals, training, equipment, and opportunity for accomplishment was initiated more than two years ago at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC. With doubting minds on the ability to do a marathon, the first goal was the Hope & Possibility 5 Mile. Melissa was looking forward to her goal of participating in the Hope and Possibility 5 Mile race, yet infection stepped in, requiring additional surgeries to save her life. Thirty-four traveled to New York City to participate in Achilles' 5 Mile event. Sixteen returned four months later for the marathon. This time, Melissa joined them. After building back her strength, she pushed through the entire 26.2-mile distance on a handcrank wheelchair with husband Dick at her side.

For the first time, Achilles is expanding its signature H&P event outside New York. This will be the first time that Trisha and Melissa will run together. Everyone is invited to come out and join them, said Meredith Goins, ACA marketing/outreach coordinator.

Runners, walkers, and athletes of all ages, with all types of abilities and disabilities, will participate together side by side. Wheelchair participants also are welcome. The mayor of Bloomington, along with the Fire and Police Department, will be on hand to help and participate in the event.

ACA President and CEO Paddy Rossbach, RN, was one of the first members of the Achilles Track Club. Paddy's entire career in the world of limb loss started when she met Dick Traum and began training for her first marathon with Achilles in 1984. She held the Female Below-the-Knee Amputee Marathon record for many years. Paddy is also the co-founder of ASPIRE Inc., a nonprofit organization in the New York City area which focuses on sports and recreational activities for children and young adults with limb loss.

Otto Bock HealthCare is the Champion Sponsor of the Hope and Possibility event.

Support also comes from the Mobility Clinic presented by Ossur North America, Aliso Viejo, California, on Friday, June 16, during the ACA conference at the Sheraton Bloomington. Amputees will be evaluated and coached on their running with emphasis on further distances. One of them, Mike McNaughton, an Achilles Freedom Team member also back from Iraq, is known for running with President George Bush. The hope of Achilles is that participants enjoy the event so much they will consider signing up for the Achilles Team in this year's ING New York City Marathon on November 5. AVIS continues its "We Try Harder" spirit with sponsorship of Achilles athletes in races and transportation to the starting line.

Pre-registration is available online at www.achillestrackclub.org/hopeandpossibility/index_MN.html . Race Day registration and number pick-up opens at 6 am at the Visitor's Center in Hyland Park in Bloomington. Awards will be presented after the race at the Visitor's Center. New York will experience its 4th Annual Hope & Possibility 5M presented by Cushman & Wakefield on Sunday, August 6, in Central Park.

About Achilles

Achilles, a not-for-profit organization designated 501(c) 3, provides opportunity for disabled members to participate in mainstream distance running, to promote personal achievement, enhanced self-esteem, and the lowering of barriers between people.

Dick Traum, PhD, who founded Achilles in l983, was the first amputee to run a marathon. Since its inception, Achilles has expanded to more than 3,000 members in the New York City metropolitan area, as well as others across the US and more than 60 foreign countries. Achilles runners use crutches, braces, artificial limbs, and wheelchairs or run without aids. Some are experienced athletes, while others are exercising for the first time. Members report that running enhances their health and, under certain conditions, slows or reverses degenerative aspects of some disabilities.

Mary Bryant is director of the Achilles Program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She has introduced over 180 recently wounded war veterans to long distance running, and the program is expanding in numbers and in scope. A National Marathoners Tour has been set up for disabled vets with race experience, and team members are now starting new Achilles Chapters in their hometowns.

Handcrank sports wheelchairs are endowed for these athletes by organizations, corporations, and individuals through Achilles.

For additional information, or to make a donation, visit www.achillestrackclub.org

To contact program director, Mary Bryant, call 212.354.0300 or e-mail mbryant@achillestrackclub.org

Achilles’ Hope & Possibility 5K Run/Walk Comes to Minneapolis

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