DO EXPERT
WINNER’S
CIRCLE
ATHLETES FIND SUCCESS THROUGH THE CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION
WRITTEN BY: RINA MAGSOMBOL PHOTOGRAPHED BY: NOBLE ANDREWS
S
ome view challenges as a roadblock, the end of the line, a reason to give up. Others, like Alana Nichols and Andre Szucs, meet challenges as an opportunity for growth. One prefers to be recognized for his determination despite all circumstances, and the other is a two-sport wonder in wheelchair basketball and alpine skiing. The Challenged Athletes Foundation, which helps athletes with physical challenges pursue active, healthy lifestyles, has been a contributing source in helping both Nichols and Szucs maintain a steadfast physical lifestyle. Over the past two decades, CAF has raised over 70 million dollars and succeeded in accomplishing over 11,000 funding requests from all physically challenged athletes in all 50 states and 32 countries. While more than 21 million people have physical disabilities, only one out of 10 actually lead physical lifestyles. What you’ll discover about each of them is nothing short of phenomenal. Nichols and Szucs are not defined by their physical limitations; instead, they work a tad harder, reach that much further and have waited a bit longer to make their dreams a reality. And the results are immensely rewarding. As both will tell you, every athletic milestone is fuel to continue improving. So while others may be content with a triple backflip, that’s only a scratch of the surface to athletes like Nichols and Szucs.
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