He has learned perseverance since he was made a paraplegic while racing motocross. He still loves the sport dearly that cost him his ability to walk, nearly 26 years ago.
Mr. Bryant, age 47, of Dallas, OR, will debut in his first half marathon in Eugene, OR, this April 29th in the handcycle division of the Eugene Marathon. He will ride a Top End Force G, purchased from Ken and Scott from Bike-On.com. "They are so helpful with great knowledge of all types of Handcycles."
Eugene is his race of choice because they were "the first organizers who got back to me right away regarding a handcycle division".
Mr. Bryant will be raising money for the Homes For Troops charity. "I realize how hard and expensive it is to have any bathroom, hallway or anything modified for use with a wheelchair or even a walker. Steps and un-level ground in, and outside, are a big problem."
His goal for the marathon? "To try and inspire someone out there with a disability and to show everyone that you can do anything if you set your mind to it." But, he would also like to finish with a decent time, and have fun.
What gets him through a tough training run? He says he tries to "stay positive and push through the pain--and think of what my ultimate goal is: to never give up!!"
Mr. Bryant will be supported in his race by friend, Vince Jones, who will be running his first half and was there the night of his accident. Also coming to cheer him on in his race are sister, Angie, and her boyfriend, James.
He would like to thank the Willamette Valley Running Club who has been "very supportive and made me feel like a part of their running club."
Anyone wishing to leave comments or questions for Robbin Bryant may do so here, or on the Eugene Marathon Facebook page.
Very inspirational! Good luck tomorrow Bryant!
ReplyDeleteI love inspirational stories and none are more touching than this. Thanks for sharing! Good luck to Bryant tomorrow!!
ReplyDeleteApril 29th!- but I am SURE he will appreciate your kind wishes :)
DeleteI'm soooo very proud of you Robbin!!! Go get em' :)
DeleteAbsolutely awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteRaina...thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRobbin...you are an inspiration to us all!!
Good Luck in Eugene...and keep on going! :)
This is so inspirational! I would love to be able to get my cousin in contact with Robbin. He really needs something in his life to give him hope and a goal to work towards each day... I wonder if I message Robbin if he'd connect up with him... I'll try. :) Thanks for posting this!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to help out in anyway i can.
DeleteCould you email me your contact information? Christie@RLKcompany.com
DeleteThanks so much!
Christie, Robbin would gladly help motivate and so would I.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding post. Inspirational and affirming of the spirit of mankind... both the post and comments. May the wind be at your back.
ReplyDeleteI love this cause and this story! My dad contracted polio when he was 11 months old and has been in a wheel chair full time for almost 20 year now (after a broken leg and post polio syndrome started to effect him). There are so many challenges that you would never think about unless you have lived with someone in a wheelchair. Steps into the front door are huge challenges and finding a home with a workable flow for a chair is a challenge too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this story! And Robbin, good luck on your first half marathon! I hope you totally rock it!
Katie thank you and it is very true about all the challenges.Good luck to your dad also.
DeleteVery inspiring! So glad you shared this story. Good luck tomorrow!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is amazing! Robbin is so inspiring :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a great story, Raina.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
My Running Shortz
Awesome! My parents have a friend in mexico who is wheelchair bound due to polio as a child. He makes custom wheelchairs and bikes for people who are disabled, and he himself has done handcycle races in Baja. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteExtraordinary story, I'm so glad you shared. I always like to sneak to the front and watch the hand cyclist start before my own race - they always inspire me!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and hope Bryant had a great day today. Very inspiring when an athlete comes back from life stopping situations.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great feature! I'm sure he'll inspire many others along the way. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI would like to "Thank Everyone" for the kind words..Having support from people who i have never meet means alot and that to keeps me going on those long rides and those bad day's..
ReplyDeleteThanks to Raina for the great feature it means alot to me.
Robbin- it was MY pleasure to do the interview. It has given me a lot to think about. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity!
DeleteLooking forward to seeing you on April 29th. Best wishes in training and in fundraising for Homes for Troops!!
Wow. He's very inspirational.
ReplyDeleteRobbin, my husband's been hand-cycling for a little over a year now. It's so great that you're getting out there and doing this! My husband knows the frustration of trying to find out if there are handcycle divisions, so I'll definitely have to tell him about the Eugene Marathon. Thanks for sharing your story, and good luck!! Thanks, Raina, for this wonderful post. :)
ReplyDeleteAMAZING! and so inspiring, thank you for this post!
ReplyDeletexoxo!
Love Robbin's positive attitude and great determination. Here's wishing him all the success he deserves when he gets to Eugene.
ReplyDeleteInspiring and I wish a lot of success to Bryant.
ReplyDeleteRaising money for the veterans is a great thing.