In 1994, three friends started a triathlon fundraiser to help one man regain his independence after a tragic accident left him a quadriplegic. From one came many, and Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) took root in the belief that sports and an active lifestyle are a pathway to more in life. Since that fundraiser 25 years ago, CAF has been committed to breaking the financial barrier that individuals with physical challenges face to participate in sports and live a healthy and active lifestyle.
In 1994, CAF’s inaugural year, one grant was given for an adaptive van to help Jim MacLaren regain his independence. Since then, CAF has awarded 23,000 individual grants to individuals with physical disabilities from around the world.
25 years ago, CAF funded one grant to a former triathlete. In 2018, CAF funded grants in 95 different sports including surfing, CrossFit, wheelchair basketball, and WCMX.
25 years ago, young athletes with physical challenges lacked mentors and role models to show them what was possible. They had to become trailblazers. Now, those trailblazers have become mentors to the next generation.
25 years ago, three challenged athletes participated in CAF’s San Diego Triathlon Challenge. This year, over 200 challenged athletes and their families will participate in the weekend of events.
25 years ago, very few individuals had access to specialized adaptive sports equipment. Now, thanks to CAF’s partnership with Össur, Per4max, Box wheelchairs and more, thousands of individuals have had access to the latest technology enabling them to participate in sports at every level.
25 years ago, 471 athletes competed in the Paralympic games. In 2016, the most recent Summer Paralympic games, over 4,350 athletes competed. In the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games, 51% of Team USA was supported by CAF.
Sport: Triathlon
Set a world record for amputees at the IRONMAN World Championship with a time of 10:42. Years later, he had a second tragic accident that left him with quadriplegia. He has inspired thousands of individuals with physical challenges through CAF.
Sport: Triathlon, running
First female above-the-knee amputee to complete IRONMAN World Championships in Kona and to be on the cover of ESPN magazine, the Body Issue.
Sport: Triathlon, handcycling
A five-time IRONMAN World Champion in the handcycle division. Famous for his great battles in Kona with David Bailey and for becoming one of the first individuals in a wheelchair to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Sport: Triathlon
IRONMAN World Champion in 2000 and one of the best motorcross athletes in the world before he became paralyzed. He is most famous for his rivalry with Carlos Moleda at the IRONMAN World Championships, together they changed the conversation around disability and sports.
Sport: Cycling, triathlon
First athlete with a physical disability to complete Leadman, a series of trail run and mountain bike events totaling 282.4 miles in the Colorado Rockies.
Sport: Wheelchair basketball, Skiing, Surfing, kayaking
A three-time gold medalist in wheelchair basketball and skiing, she is the first female to take gold in both the Summer and Winter Games
Sport: Triathlon
First amputee to return to combat in recorded history after losing his leg in battle. He also was the inspiration behind CAF’s Operation Rebound program.
Sport: Track and field
From Chinese orphanage to world record holder in the 400m and American record holder in the 200m and 100m in her classification.
Sport: Running
Gold Medal Paralympian in track and the only female double below-knee amputee to complete the Boston Marathon.
Sport: Swimming, paratriathlon
At age 16 he won his first Paralympic gold medal in swimming and has been to every summer Paralympic Games since 2004 medaling in all four of them.
Sport: Swimming
A Paralympic gold medalist in swimming who has defied odds after spending part of his childhood homeless.
Sport: Triathlon
A survivor of osteosarcoma she is preparing to be the youngest female wearing a prosthetic to finish the IRONMAN World Championship.
There are more ways than ever before to get involved and help make a difference. Join us in celebrating 25 years of transforming lives through sport while helping us fund the next generation.
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“CAF has given me the resources and support to be able to achieve just about everything I have achieved as a Challenged Athlete. Their generous support and trust has enabled me to live an exceptional life. Because of that, the ripple effect of everything I’ve accomplished have inspired many others to do the same.”
“CAF helped get me on my way to the Hawaii Ironman for what became a life changing 3-year battle to be at my best and to try to beat the best, Carlos Moleda. Their support through those years got me through some difficult times later when I spent a year face down with a pressure sore. Once again the CAF helped me start from scratch as I coached Ricky James (also supported by the CAF) to a finish in Kona in 2008. His finish combined with my recovery and support from the CAF inspired me to one more Ironman in 2009. Their assistance made a huge difference and I am happy to see them still growing and assisting countless others!”
“The greatest gift from CAF was an introduction to a lifelong commitment to sport for people with disabilities. When I was newly injured, I didn't know a single amputee, and within months of injury, I was introduced to a whole new community and became part of a new family. Those friendships that I made through CAF are lifetime commitments to help others and support something beyond myself.”
“I’m so thankful to CAF for giving me the opportunity to be a mentor, role model and coach to so many other challenged athletes. While I’m proud of my own victories as an athlete, I’m even more proud to have helped others become champions of sport and blaze their own trails forward.”
“Patience. Commitment. Dedication. Self-confidence. How to chase hard work. How to rise above failure and defeat. For this and so much more, running has forever changed my life. Running is the foundation for all the work that I do. It feeds the hunger, creativity and passion needed in my pursuits and directly connects me to the cause that is my life-calling."
“We all struggle some days. We all crave to be inspired. Over the past 25 years, CAF has given me a daily dose of inspiration, the strength I need to believe in myself, and the courage I sometimes lack to take on bigger challenges. 25 years ago, we could not see these great athletes as there was no platform. 25 years ago, society missed the opportunity to be inspired. Not today.”
