Sunday night I was browsing through Chicago Marathon photo gallery and this picture really stood out. I just thought – Wow!
It’s difficult enough to run a marathon and this runner has additional challenges.
I was curious about the organization mentioned on his t-shirt – Achilles International. The organization’s mission is, to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics in order to promote personal achievement, enhance self esteem, and lower barrier to living a fulfilling life.
You can read more about who they are and the various programs the organization organizes and offers. The founder, Dick Traum, was the first amputee to run 26.2 miles.
The organization has expanded to the Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans, which meets specific needs of wounded members of the U.S. military.
Information on existing chapters or how to start a chapter is available online.
Have you heard of Achilles International? Have you ever volunteered at a race or helped someone through a race?
Apples and Arteries 
Sounds like a great organization!! Generally, I can never decide if volunteering for a race would be fun (cheering, being helpful, giving out waters, etc) or really boring (aka standing nit he middle of nowhere waving a flag to make sure they go the right way)….but volunteering for something like Achilles or the Special Olympics would be a whole different ballgame and so worth it