Casey’s Challenge creates sense of unity for adaptive sports participants
Wheeled athletes enjoyed the challenge of the rolling landscape during Casey’s Challenge. A number of wheeled athletes showed plenty of heart and determination during the annual race in Dalton.
Born with spina bifida, Casey Followay had to make a decision. He could let the disease rule his life, or he could challenge himself, take the reins and make his life his own. He chose the latter, becoming a wheeled athlete whose heart and soul have endeared him to everyone he meets.
In never letting a crippling disease get him down, Casey Followay set an example for others facing physical challenges, and his courage and desire also led to an event that is aiding others facing similar challenges in life.
Casey’s Challenge brought people together for a day of celebration, encouragement and physical challenge for all of its participants on Saturday, Aug. 10.
Casey’s Challenge featured a 5k run and walk and a 1-mile fun run for both legged and chair athletes. The event started and ended at the Midwest Community Center on Kurzen Road, west of Dalton. The Ohio Challenge Series, sponsored by Subway, Concorde Sports Medicine and SecondSole, was created as a way to celebrate the accomplishments of Casey Followay.
From a young age he was encouraged to participate in adaptive sports, something that completely changed his life to the point he is now working toward his goal of competing on the United States Paralympics team.
One of Casey Followay’s desires has always been to see other individuals with physical disabilities become more healthy, active and happy in their lives. Due to the high cost of equipment, many people with physical disabilities are unable to participate, so the funds raised through the race go directly to Adaptive Sports Programs of Ohio, where it will help others purchase the needed equipment to participate in adaptive sports.
“This event has meant a lot to me because I get to help others who are hoping to better themselves and take on some knew challenges in adaptive sports,” Casey Followay said.
According to Casey’s mother, Lisa Followay, who organizes the event, Adaptive Sports Ohio was created in 2009 because the Followay family wanted to bring the joy of competing in adaptive sports to the area.
“There was a void there, and we knew what a blessing adaptive sports had been to Casey, and we wanted others to experience that same joy,” Lisa Followay said. “The whole goal of the event is to get the community involved in raising both awareness and funds so that we can give athletes with disabilities a chance to play and compete.”
The former Orrville-Dalton YMCA building has been transformed into the Midwest Community Center complex. Lisa Followay said the center has allowed their organization to partner with them so they can create programs for chaired athletes so they don’t have to travel so far to train.
In part, that played a role in the race being resurrected. The race was discontinued in 2014, but because of the partnership, it was reinstituted last year.
This year saw numerous chaired athletes competing side by side with legged runners, some of them pushing strollers, others running alongside someone as an encourager and many to simply compete at their highest level while supporting the cause.
“Part of our mission is giving our wheeled athletes an experience where they can come out, get challenged and compete,” Lisa Followay said. “We have some wheeled rugby athletes who come out and participate because it helps their health, wellness and stamina. But at the same time, it is also nice for them to mingle with the footed athletes, which is something that you wouldn’t normally find at a typical 5k. That is one element that really is exciting for our wheeled athletes, and everyone here is incredibly friendly and encouraging.”
As competitors neared the finish line, whether foot or wheeled athletes, a large crowd cheered. At the finish line was Casey Followay, greeting them all with a smile, a smile that has helped generate funds that will create more opportunities for those with physical disabilities to gain self-esteem, grow in strength and health, and better their lives, the same way Casey Followay has done.