Page 9 - 2019 Fall CMTA Report

Challenged Athletes Foundation

Offers Grants To Support

CMTers’ Fitness Goals

he annual application period Applicants can request
for grants from the Chal- assistance for:
lenged Athletes Foundation • Purchasing sports equipment,
(CAF) opened September 3 adaptive or not. Examples
T and runs through November include bikes, hand bikes and
1. Anyone with CMT can apply adaptive ski equipment.
for a CAF grant, which provides • Travel and competition expenses
financial assistance to support the for people who want to partici-
recipient’s physical goals for fit- pate in a local, national, or
Sarah Kesty on her
ness, health and recreation. international sports event.
adaptive ski bike
The Challenged Athletes • Training or gym expenses for
Foundation (CAF) was founded people who want to develop
25 years ago to help triathlete Jim strength and balance.
McLaren buy a wheelchair accessi- • Prosthetics for amputees. APPLY FOR A GRANT AT:
ble van after he was injured while www.challengedathletes.org/programs/grants/
competing in a race. The founda- To apply for funding,
tion’s first efforts were met with applicants must submit:
enthusiasm and a developing sense • A medical verification of disabil- CMTA Advisory Board Mem-
of need as they found a commu- ity, such as a doctor’s note that ber Sarah Kesty, who was awarded
nity of people who wanted to be documents a permanent physi- a grant to purchase an adaptive
active but lacked the opportunity cal disability, no matter what ski bike last winter, said the CAF
or financial means. Since 1984, year the note was written. grants provide the “opportunity to
the CAF has awarded more than • A personal letter of reference that fight back against our CMT—its
26,000 individual grants to indi- describes both the applicant’s pain, sometimes hopelessness—
viduals with physical challenges journey in sports and athletics and have fun in the process.”
across 103 sports. as well as how the CAF grant According to Sarah, “You
As the CAF website notes, would help in that journey. don’t have to be the embodiment
millions of individuals with physi- This can come from a coach, of an ‘athlete’ to enjoy sports and
cal disabilities do not have access trainer, peer or parent (in the activities, and CAF helps remove
to the critical adaptive sports case of a minor). the financial barrier you may face
equipment and programming they • Two photos, preferably doing the in accessing an adaptive activity.”
need to be active. As a result, 50 chosen activity or sport. Sarah encourages others “to trans-
percent of adults with disabilities • Financial documentation of form the pain of CMT into
motivation.” h
get no aerobic exercise and chil- income. Examples include 1040,
dren with disabilities have a 38 W2, SSI or SSDI forms. CAF
percent higher obesity rate than gives preference to those show-
children without those challenges. ing greatest financial need. HOSTED BY
The foundation’s mission is to CMTer Diane Easter said PHYLLIS SANDERS AND
RUTH AND ALAN KOROWITZ
provide opportunities and support “The CAF grant allows me to
to people with physical challenges, belong to an adaptive gym. THE ESSEX HOUSE, NYC
160 CENTRAL PARK S
so they can pursue active lifestyles My workouts have made me NY, NY 10019
through physical fitness and com- stronger, improved my balance
RSVP by October 5
petitive athletics. It believes that and decreased my falls. The best For any questions, contact:
sguterding@thesandersfirm.com
involvement in sports at any level part is the hope I have again. 516-741-5252 x2145
increases self-esteem, encourages I can positively impact my To purchase tickets and/or
independence and enhances qual- strength and how I feel. I’m so make a donation, please visit:
cmtausa.org/nygala
ity of life. thankful for the CAF grant!”
FALL 2019 THE CMTA REPORT 9