Tim Gustafson
Sport:
Triathlon
Biography:
Tim was born and raised in Leavenworth, KS where he played football and wrestled in high school. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 18 and served on active duty for six years. After his active duty service, Tim moved to Tennessee, entered college, and joined the National Guard. During his first semester of college, Tim’s Guard unit was called to duty to serve in Iraq. On January 24, 2005, while serving with 1/278th Regimental Combat Team I, Tim was conducting a pipeline security mission when enemy forces detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near his Humvee. Tim lost the bottom part of his right leg in the blast.
After the injury Tim was sent to a surgical unit in Balad, Iraq then to Landstuhl, Germany and finally to Walter Reed. Although his leg was initially still intact, surgeons in Iraq decided to amputate his foot at the ankle due to the extreme fractures that had occurred as a result of the blast. At Walter Reed Tim decided to allow the surgeons to amputate more of his leg to facilitate healing and recovery. In January of 2007 Tim had one last surgery to repair a muscle that had fallen off after running the Army 10 Miler. Now Tim seeks to finish his college degree, and enter the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer.
While recovering at Walter Reed, Tim was introduced to CAF by a fellow soldier and he subsequently developed a passion to compete in triathlon.
“Sometimes when I am lying in bed and try to stand up, it strikes me that I am an amputee. I continue to enjoy life and look forward to sharing it with my wife with the new twist that God has given us,” said Tim.
The generosity of supporters like you gives Tim the chance to continue competing and changing perceptions.
How Does Operation Rebound Help?
Operation Rebound provides unparalleled sports opportunities and support to our troops and veterans of any branch of service and first responders who have served honorably and have suffered permanent physical injuries. Grants are awarded for event travel, lodging, entry fees, training and equipment.
How Can You Help?
Make a tax-deductible contribution to Challenged Athletes, Inc., (dba Challenged Athletes Foundation) a non-profit 501 (C) (3) organization. To make a donation, please call (858) 866-0959, send a check to the address listed below, or make a secure payment through our website: www.challengedathletes.org.