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Empowering abilities, one kilometre at a time

Empowering visually and physically challenged triathletes

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Empowering abilities, one kilometre at a time

Empowering abilities, one kilometre at a time

Empowering abilities, one kilometre at a time

Empowering abilities, one kilometre at a time

Empowering abilities, one kilometre at a time

Empowering visually and physically challenged triathletes

Empowering visually and physically challenged triathletes

Empowering visually and physically challenged triathletes

Empowering visually and physically challenged triathletes

Tim Scapillato
Tim Scapillato
Tim Scapillato
Tim Scapillato
2 Campaigns |
Ottawa, Canada
$1,322 USD $1,322 USD 36 backers
25% of $5,183 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
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Highlights
Mountain Filled 2 Projects Mountain Filled 2 Projects
I have now regained my dignity, self-confidence, my feeling of usefulness and again have a purpose in life. This is all due to Won with One, who took the time...to provide an opportunity for me to get out of the bottom of a cold, dark barrel. (Won With One Athlete.)

BACKGROUND

My name is Tim Scapillato. I live in Wakefield, Quebec, Canada. For me, 2015 is a year of milestones.

Thirty years ago, in the spring of 1985, I quit smoking and took up running. In fairly short order, I became a marathon runner and set my sights on the Boston Marathon. I ran my first one in 1991, and since then have completed 13 more. I will be returning this year for my 15th Boston Marathon. Another milestone.

But this one is going to be special in another way, because I'm using it to raise funds for an organization called Won With One. 

Won with One supports people who are visually or physically challenged to realize their dreams as athletes in the sport of triathlon by providing equipment, opportunities and solutions. We support their individual journeys to leave the sidelines and step onto the race course to experience the empowerment that comes from crossing a finish line.

Won with One helps physically and visually challenged athletes re-imagine what can be achieved by building a community of support which transforms lives and breaks down barriers.

In 2010 I joined Won With One as an athlete guide. Since then I have guided blind and visually challenged athletes in triathlons and marathons. I guided a blind runner in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Boston Marathons. Running Boston is an experience like no other, but running it as a set of eyes for a blind runner made it even more special. Read about our experience in 2013, the year of the tragic bombing.

There is no other organization like Won With One. The experience has been life-changing for everyone who has been involved in this organization, whether as a guide or an athlete.


How You Can Help?

So far, Won With One athletes have competed in 23 major races in Canada and the United States. We have used 637 feet of tether to connect athletes and guides. We have moved tandem bikes over 25,473 kilometres to get to the start lines of these races.

These are impressive numbers! 

But these achievements don't come without a cost. And that's why we need your help. Won With One is a 100% volunteer-run organization, and it operates on a shoe-string budget. In order to keep providing these life-changing opportunities to our athletes, we need your help.

I have launched this campaign to ask for your financial support by sponsoring me as I run my 15th Boston Marathon on April 20, 2015. My goal is to raise $500 for every year that I've run Boston. 

Where we're at:

1991 ($500)

1993 ($500)

1996 ($500)

2000 ($500)

2003 ($500)

2005 ($500)

2006 ($500)

2008 ($500)

2009 ($500)

2010 ($500)

2011 ($500)

2012 ($500)

2013 ($500)

2014 ($500)

2015 ($500)

Won With One works on an annual budget of approximately $15,000, so $7,500 would be a big boost. It would allow us to enter a team of 24 athletes and guides to race triathlons in the 2015 season by helping to subsidize their race fees, accommodations, travel, transportation and equipment transport!

Your contribution will help keep Won With One athletes and their guides healthy, active and empowered!

Please note that not one cent of this money goes to me. It will not pay for my trip to Boston or my race registration. All funds will go directly to Won With One to ensure that our athletes will be able to compete in triathlons in the 2015 season. There is no overhead, no administration, no bureaucracy. 100% of the funds raised will go directly to providing opportunities to athletes who would otherwise be denied the chance to realize a dream.

At the end of the campaign, we will issue tax receipts to Canadian residents who make a donation over $10.00. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide tax receipts to non-Canadian residents.


You Can Make A Difference!

Shelley-Anne Morris of Ottawa is a visually challenged triathlete whose life has been changed by the support she has received from Won With One. Here's what she has to say about what Won With One means to her:

In the past four years, I have grown and developed both as an athlete and as a person. I’ve pushed myself physically. I’ve conquered 15 sprint distance/early bird tris and now hope to go on to participate in an Olympic distance in 2015. I’ve learned a lot about working as an athlete/guide team: one brain, two bodies. Triathlon takes logistical and organizational skill. I’ve learned a lot about preparing for the sport from my teammates. I’ve grown in confidence as a writer and as a communicator. That new-found confidence has led me to become a co-host on a disabilities radio show on one of Ottawa’s community radio shows.

When I am wearing my team uniform, I am standing proud, knowing that despite all the harshness and misconceptions that the world can dish out, my team has got my back. When we all show up en masse we take a definitive stance against discrimination, stereotype and the backward thinking that still holds many of us back from achieving our potential.  

Won With One has introduced me to some incredible people, each of whom has a story to tell. Athlete and guide alike, each and every one of us has a reason for being here. Many of my fellow teammates have lost vision and have had to re-define themselves within a ‘new normal.’ For some, vision loss meant a loss of employment and/or the need to ‘give up’ much-loved activities. Some never even considered becoming a triathlete until the opportunity presented itself.

All athletes have said that being part of the Won with One triathlon team has been ‘life-changing.’ Along with being a fitter, faster 52-year-old, I am doing things that once were out of my realm of possibilities. Being able to say “I’m a triathlete” has given me an incredible confidence boost. In 2013, I ran my first half-marathon!

Thank you for helping to change the lives of visually and physically challenged athletes who want nothing more than the chance to stand at the start line and test their limits.

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Listen to Tim's radio interviews as he promotes his funding campaign:

On TSN 1200 Ottawa

On CKCU 93.1, "Welcome to My World"

TSN interview starts at the 7:50 mark.

CKCU interview starts around the 7:15 mark.

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Won With One celebrates its fifth year of providing opportunities



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