At just eight years old, Brooklyn Gossard is already a force on the move. Whether she’s zipping through the streets of Boise on her handcycle, carving turns on the tennis court, or taking on triathlons with the confidence of a seasoned athlete, Brooklyn is unstoppable—and she’s just getting started.

Brooklyn was diagnosed with acute idiopathic transverse myelitis at just 15 months old. Within 48 hours of showing symptoms, she had gone from reaching for her sippy cup to being unable to move her arms. Initially classified as quadriplegic, Brooklyn has since regained use of her upper body after years of intense physical therapy.

Today, she is living proof of what’s possible when you meet adversity with courage—and surround yourself with a supportive community.

Finding Movement, Momentum, and Motivation

Brooklyn is a proud participant in multiple adaptive sports, including handcycling, wheelchair tennis, sledge hockey, paratriathlon, and WCMX (wheelchair motocross). What fuels her passion? The thrill of trying new things, the challenge of competition, and the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a community that sees her potential—not her limitations.

CAF has been part of that journey from the start. Through adaptive sports clinics and a recent grant from CAF-Idaho, Brooklyn now trains with her very own handcycle—fueling a bold and ambitious personal goal: complete 100 triathlons in two years.

Her twin sister Bella and older brother Isaiah are always on the sidelines—or joining in—cheering her on and proudly watching her grow. The Gossard family’s approach has always been “yes, and”—finding opportunities instead of obstacles, solutions instead of setbacks.

A Family of Advocates

The Gossards’ relationship with CAF deepened in 2019, when they traveled from Idaho to San Diego to attend the CAF San Diego Triathlon Challenge (SDTC) Weekend. That weekend changed not just Brooklyn’s life, but her whole family’s perspective.

Isaiah, Brooklyn’s older brother, attended SDTC to support his sister. But what he left with was far greater: a new understanding of resilience and courage—sparked by meeting CAF ambassador and Ironman athlete, Roderick Sewell.

Isaiah was so inspired, he wrote an essay for a 6th-grade school assignment about Roderick’s story. With permission, we’re sharing it here:

Courage: Strength in the Face of Pain or Grief

By Isaiah Gossard, Age 11

Courage has a couple of definitions but one that really stands out to me is having “strength in the face of pain or grief.” I am writing about a man that shows courage—his name is Roderick Sewell.

I got the great honor of meeting him and watching him do a triathlon thanks to the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). Roderick was born without both tibias, and his mother—a single parent—chose amputation so he could live a better life. She was scared, but brave.

Later, they went through homelessness. But that didn’t stop them. With support from CAF, they found a home, a community, and a future. Roderick started sports and found a friend in Rudy Garcia-Tolson. They trained together and challenged each other.

In 2019, Roderick became the first double above-knee amputee to finish the Ironman World Championship in Kona. He finished in 16 hours, 26 minutes, and 59 seconds. Even when his body wanted to stop, he kept going. He said, “I know I just gotta keep going forward.”

That takes courage. Roderick’s story inspired me. It showed me what’s possible with strength, support, and never giving up.

A Ripple Effect of Possibility

Brooklyn’s journey isn’t just about racing or racking up medals—it’s about momentum. Her determination inspires not only her peers, but her whole family to be bolder, more curious, and more involved. Now, Isaiah volunteers at CAF clinics, speaks to his classmates about inclusion and ability, and shares the power of sport wherever he goes.

Brooklyn, with her larger-than-life personality, has already become a role model herself. Whether she’s supporting her teammates, trying a new sport, or mentoring younger athletes, her presence uplifts those around her.

As she continues chasing her 100-triathlon dream, one thing is clear: Brooklyn is just getting started, and with her community behind her, the possibilities are limitless.

Stay tuned as Brooklyn and her family continue to blaze trails—and be sure to follow CAF-Idaho and our national programs to support rising stars just like her.