I would like to thank Shad and Team Ireland for bringing me on to the 2009 squad. I am really honored and excited to be apart of this worthy cause. With hard work and dedication there are no limits as to what we can do.
Bio
I am a 22 year old senior at Ferrum College located in southwest Virginia. At the age of five I was diagnosed with Henoch Schonlein Purpora, a rare kidney disease that affects the blood vessels and your kidneys. Despite having the illness I was an athlete all my life. I was a standout athlete in basketball and baseball. As I grew older I grew weaker however when I arrived at Ferrum College I joined the men's tennis team and flourished. However by the middle of my sophomore year I was told I would soon need a kidney transplant. As the months passed I could tell my body was breaking down and I truly did need a transplant. On October 18, 2007 I received a kidney transplant from a living donor. This ended alot of stress on my family and turned my life around. I now had a second chance. I finished my last year of tennis eligibility this past spring. I made a promise to God several months before the transplant that if he granted me a kidney transplant I would make a difference in the world. When I learned of Team Ireland I immediatly knew this was something special. Reading about Shad Ireland was a true inspiration to me and motivated me to work ever harder. If given the opportunity to be on Team Ireland it would be an amazing opportunity to make a difference in the world. I want to help those in need. If I can give hope to those in need that is an excellent start. I feel I can make a diffence for Team Ireland and help the team grow. I have already begun training for the team in hopes that I am given the opportunity to compete. I have biked for the better part of my life, however I do not currently have a road cycling bike. I am purchasing a road cycling bike to train for the biking part of triathlons. I have never competed in a triathlon however I am in good shape and have never lost a challenge. I am ready for this challenge and to help those in need. As a promise to Team Ireland if you give me the chance to compete I will give my all to you and those in need to make a difference in any and every way I can.
