BE YOU
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
RORY MCCARTHY
ATHLETE FOA 2000 , 2002 , 2006-2011 , 2016 Sea to Shining Sea 2010 Vietnam Challenge 1998 Paralympic Torch Relay 1996 AXA World Ride 1995
Adaptive athlete Rory McCarthy has spent nearly a quarter century participating in World T . E . A . M . Sports cycling events , from the 1995 AXA World Ride to nine Face of America rides between 2000 and 2016 .
WORLD T . E . A . M . SPORTS ANNUAL REVIEW
Team members at Adventure Team Challenge Colorado face varied terrains , from water to sand to rock .
In Colorado ’ s high desert near Grand Junction , not far from Utah ’ s eastern border , civilian and military veterans from across North America worked together in teams of five to successfully complete three outdoor stages . Athletes pedaled bicycles and hand cycles along sandy , steep and rocky back country trails , paddled rafts down the Colorado River and across Highline Lake , used orienteering skills to reach specific course checkpoints , climbed a high sandstone spire through friction and strategic hand and footholds and navigated a zip line course .
Living with orthopedic and neuromuscular issues with his legs for most of his life , the Bath , Maine electrical designer and engineer has developed a love for hand cycling . Understanding that ongoing physical exercise is important to his well-being , Rory participates in numerous cycling events both
locally and nationally .
The greatest success for a team is always
when the members recognize and embrace the diversity of the members . Every athlete has stories to share . something they can contribute .
Riding with World T . E . A . M . Sports has “ profoundly ” affected his life , he admits . Through his travels , he has met some incredible people with inspirational
Yet , he understands that there are many persons with disabilities who are not staying physically The Adventure Team Challenge active . To these diversity individuals of the , Rory members has words . Every of is a celebration of inclusiveness encouragement , athlete . has something they can of encouraging each participating contribute . athlete to join in and contribute “ Someone with a disability , whether from an injury to the team ’ s overall success or accident . or With something most teams someone joining has together lived with The greatest success for a for team their whole for life the — these first time activities at the can event improve ’ s start , is always when the members your quality of members life , can help quickly with identified depression their or recognize and embrace the sadness , and own make strengths you just and feel weaknesses generally better . about life and about your own life experiences .”
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