award winners
Jim MacLaren Award Winners:
Most Inspirational Athlete:
Rising Star Award Winner:
Sempra Energy Trailblazer Award:
Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern
Jim MacLaren Award Winners
Presented to the individuals who have made the most significant contributions towards the mission of CAF.
Lisa Lax first met Bob Babbitt in Kona, Hawaii in 1993, where she was quarterbacking NBC’s coverage of the Ironman World Championships. Among the highlights of that year’s broadcast was a feature on Jim MacLaren – an extraordinary amputee endurance athlete who regularly finished in the top 15 percent of all competitors. Flash forward 10 years. Lisa and her twin sister Nancy are seeking projects for their fledgling enterprise, Lookalike Productions.
“Bob said he had a great story about a young man from Ghana who, with CAF’s help, was changing his country’s perceptions of the disabled,” said the twins. “The only problem was that we had less than a week to get the shots we needed before Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah would undergo surgery to amputate his leg.”
Drawing on their experience as Emmy-winning television producers, Lisa and Nancy sprang into action and compressed a months-long pre-production process into a couple of hours.
The result of that effort is Emmanuel’s Gift, a soulful cinematic journey tracing Emmanuel’s story – following his ascension from societal cast-off to national hero and global inspirational figure. The movie also highlights MacLaren, the man for whom the Challenged Athletes Foundation was originally started and who ended being a pivotal figure in Emmanuel’s life.
Emmanuel’s Gift is now open in theaters, and Lisa and Nancy are making plans to take their message to even broader publics. “Eventually, we want to make Emmanuel’s Gift into an educational piece that can be used to teach everyone from nursery school children to university students that disability does not mean inability,” says Lisa.
As All-American Lacrosse players from their college days at Tufts, both Lisa and Nancy understand the importance of sports in shaping character – and lives. “That is why we believe in the CAF mission,” said Nancy. “It is awe-inspiring to see the athletes the CAF supports.”
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Paul Martin
Most Inspirational Athlete
Given to the athlete who never ceases to inspire those around him through strength, athleticism, ability and true dedication to the CAF mission.
In December of 1992, Paul Martin survived a car accident that claimed his left leg below the knee. What for most would be a crushing blow changed Paul for the better, launching an athletic career that few will ever match – and fewer would even attempt.
Growing up, Paul used sports as his safe place – a tranquil refuge from a tumultuous home life. After his accident, he used sports to transform himself. In the process, he blazed a bright path for other challenged athletes to follow. His phenomenal success at virtually everything he tries athletically provides him with a terrific platform for sharing his story and motivating others.
Here is just a sampling of Paul’s achievements: U.S. National teams in four different sports. First leg amputee to complete an adventure race. First leg amputee to complete “the double” – Ironman Hawaii and the Xterra World Championships, held on back-to-back weekends. Nine Ironman finish-lines. International Triathlon Union World champion. Two silver medals as a member of the U.S. Team at the World Amputee Hockey Championships. Silver and Bronze medals in cycling at the Athens Paralympics. The list goes on and on.
But 2005 was an extra-special year, even by Paul’s high standards. He set a (short-lived) record for leg amputees at Ironman Coeur d’Alene, broke the 40-minute barrier in the 10k and was nominated for the “Best Male Athlete with a Disability” at the ESPYs. He continues to build his online coaching business, Amplitude Multisport, and is presenting working with CAF Operation Rebound participants. To top it off, recently married, Paul just announced that he and Sharon are expecting a baby!
“Though I am fortunate to have won several awards this year, this is special,” says Paul. “Due to my long involvement with the CAF it’s more personal – like getting recognized by your family.
Paul’s motto is “do what you love, love what you do.” Based on his success, maybe the rest of us should adopt it, too.
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Jake Frank
Rising Star Award Winner
Given annually to a young athlete who has demonstrated commitment, dedication and focus to meet an athletic goal.
Jake Frank isn’t the world’s first seven-year-old bilateral above-knee-amputee triathlete (yet). But he is a multi-sport competitor, with a huge appetite for participation in athletics that is matched only by his boundless energy.
As a wrestler for the past three years, Jake pinned his way to the top of the podium as a member of his elementary school team. In his “free time” he also swims, rides his bike, shoots archery, plays baseball, basketball, and golf and is thinking about getting into gymnastics. His initial goals – to be active, compete and have fun – have been met.
But it wasn’t long ago that his parents wondered if Jake would ever get the chance to be an athlete.
Like his friend and mentor, Rudy Garcia-Tolson, Jake was born with a rare condition that left him unable to walk. Searching for a way to help their son, Julie and Steve Frank of Hazen, North Dakota, were given hope after they watched Rudy on the Oprah Winfrey show – living proof that their son could have a normal, active life.
Right away, they knew what needed to be done: amputate both Jake’s legs above the knee and get him fitted with high-tech prosthetics that would allow him to participate in sports. Now, he’s unstoppable.
“Jake is a great example of what makes CAF such a powerful force for good,” says Virginia Tinley, CAF’s Executive Director. “He and his family were inspired by Rudy’s accomplishments and thanks to our partnership with Ossur, he was able to receive a set of running legs. Now, he’s enjoying his own successes in a wide range of athletic activities.”
Keep conquering new sports, Jake. There’s little doubt your star will continue to rise for years to come.
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Captain David Rozelle
Sempra Energy Trailblazer Award
Given to a challenged athlete who demonstrates courage, commitment, and leadership – not only in their personal performance, but also in opening doors for others.
Captain David Rozelle serves as a true inspirational hero for American soldiers injured in recent conflicts abroad.
While in Iraq, commanding 140 troops of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Capt. Rozelle lost part of his right leg when a landmine exploded under his Humvee. After rehabilitation as a below-the-knee amputee, Captain Rozelle made the decision to return to active duty – the first American soldier to do so in modern times. Now having completed a second tour in Iraq on a prosthetic leg, Capt. Rozelle is helping his fellow injured soldiers to reclaim an active lifestyle, working at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He strongly believes in the healing power of sports to help accomplish his new mission.
After participating in the 2004 San Diego Triathlon Challenge, Capt. Rozelle became a proud supporter of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). He serves as a role model and mentor in CAF’s Operation Rebound program.
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