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Our Indiegogo
Campaign Goal is to provide funds for our Achilles Kids Program, which serves
children with disabilities through athletic activities and running a “Virtual
Marathon” *
WHO WE ARE:
We are Achilles International. We make it possible for people
of any age and any disability to participate in mainstream sports. Many of you
may know us from the bright yellow neon shirts our athletes wear at events
around the world and at workouts in Central Park, NY. We are hard to miss in
our signature shade! Achilles International was created in 1983 by Dick Traum, the
first above-the-knee amputee to complete a marathon in New York City.
Our 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 barriers to living a
fulfilling life.
HOW DOES THE
ACHILLES KIDS PROGRAM HELP CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES?
We work with the DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION and
are part of an “Adaptive Physical
Education Program” in over 180 public schools around the U.S. Within
this program children with disabilities who are members of the Achilles Kids
Program run, walk or "roll" (in wheelchairs) throughout the
school year and aim to complete a marathon distance (26.2 miles.)
*We call it a "virtual
marathon” – but there’s nothing virtual about it…they really go the
distance!
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YES, ACHILLES KIDS
ACTUALLY COMPLETE A MARATHON!!
The children in
our program prove to us every day that being disabled does not mean “being
un-able!”
They defy the odds and, under the supervision of their
teachers, walk, run or “roll” in their Adaptive Physical Education classes, adding
up their mileage to a “virtual marathon” distance throughout the school year.
The Achilles Kids Program promotes health and fitness and helps children with disabilities:
BE ACTIVE
AND “ACHIEVE!”
-
IMPROVE
FOCUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE
Achilles Kids
often do better ACADEMICALLY too as they learn to:
IMPROVE
COGNITIVE ABILITIES
BUILD SELF-ESTEEM
SET GOALS
-
BE PART
OF A TEAM
It is SELF-EMPOWERING
and builds CONFIDENCE
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WHY IS THIS “RUN TO
LEARN PROGRAM” SO IMPORTANT?
A Reuters Health study reports that children with disabilities who
participate in a suitable exercise program show improved quality of life,
greater aerobic capacity, and better function.
Achilles
founder, Dick Traum, believes that if a child can feel that sense of pride and
success in achieving something like this -- and they EARN these shoes,
they are not given to them -- think of what other great things they might
achieve.
Achilles Kids Disabilities
include Cognitive and Physical Disabilities such as:
Autism * Down’s
Syndrome * Cerebral Palsy * Spina Bifida * Muscular Dystrophy, * Visual
Impairment/Blindness * Traumatic Brain injuries (TBI) ADHD * Orthopedic
Disorders
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CHARTING THEIR
PROGRESS:
One of the most exciting parts of this program is when Achilles Kids and their
teachers begin charting their progress and see the proof of their amazing hard
work step-by-step.
They become advocates
in their own success!
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Every step the children take is marked on customized maps
of their city (some sample maps above), which are proudly displayed in their classroom. The children are
honored and praised in an award celebration at the end of the school year where
those who reached the 26.2-mile marathon distance are rewarded with a new pair
of running shoes. These are
especially meaningful for the students as the vast majority are low-income and for many, it is their first pair of new shoes.
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All kids, including those who complete shorter distances,
receive t-shirts designed by children in the program; as well as, medals and
certificates, which helps them stay motivated.
The awards ceremony has a HUGE IMPACT on the children!
Teachers regularly report to us what a big boost the ceremonies have on the
kids confidence and self-esteem! (See
what some of the teachers are saying below.)
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The program is an important lesson in working hard to earn
something special.
This sets a pattern for
a lifetime of achievement.
GROUND BREAKING
RESEARCH ON AUTISM
We are incredibly excited to share some great news with
you all!!
Since the Achilles Kids Program began in 1995, we have extensive
anecdotal evidence that running helps children on the autism spectrum improve
their emotional and physical health. This year, Achilles will work with Cigna on a groundbreaking study that will help
quantify the effect that running has on children with autism. THIS IS A FIRST! This research could
have profound implications on the health and quality of life for children with
autism and their families.
WE NEED YOUR
HELP TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN
Achilles International is a not-for-profit organization
that depends solely on the generosity of people like you for funding. We have a
very small staff doing a huge amount of work. Your donation is 100% Tax
Deductible and goes DIRECTLY to support the Achilles Kids Program.
Last year, we provided 9,700 shirts and 4,400 pairs of
sneakers for the Achilles Kids Program.
THIS YEAR, our
program is even bigger. Our program continues to grow and we need more help
raising funds.
THIS YEAR, we
expect to provide more than 12,000 shirts and 5,000+ pairs of shoes.
TOM MCGRATH IS
GIVING US A
RUN FOR OUR MONEY!
In support of
our Indiegogo Campaign for Achilles Kids, Tom “RunningMan” McGrath, will
run SIX MARATHONS IN SIX DAYS through the FIVE BOROUGHS of New York
City.
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He will start
his run on September 29th and continue a marathon every day until
October 4th.
Tom is a
long-distance runner with a heart of gold especially where kids’ charities are
concerned. He has run over 200,000 miles in the past fifty years and
helped raise two million dollars for charity. Last year, he ran Six Marathons In Six Days through the busy streets of Manhattan, avoiding potholes, buses,
taxis, exhaust fumes and so many other obstacles. “Nothing compares to the
challenges some of these kids face every day,” he said.
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The Achilles Kids inspired Tom so much that he offered to
do the run again this year! Be sure to follow his run on our Facebook page!
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MEET SOME OF
OUR KIDS:
We would love you to meet some of our KIDS. Please take a
look at the accompanying video and get to know a few of our great, inspiring Achilles
Kids.
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For more information on Achilles, please visit our
website: www.achillesinternational.org
and don’t forget to “friend” or “like” us on Facebook!
Contact: Fiona McKinney, Achilles International.
Tel: 212 354 0300
email: fmckinney@achillesinternational.org