ATBF Testimonials

Brendan Geiss





I'll never forget the day I stumbled through our front door after Pop Warner football practice and heard that my father had been in an accident. It was 1994 and my Dad was on his typical lunch hour. Instead of eating he was biking as per his usual routine. Unfortunately, during his ride he was struck by a pick-up truck and has been paralyzed from the waist down ever since.

My Dad is (notice I didn't say was) the most active person I've ever met when it comes to exercise and pushing himself. Before his injury he was an avid runner, biker, marathoner, triathlete, mountain climber, etc. Since his injury he's completed multiple Boilermaker races, hosted annual fundraising races for others in wheelchairs, and continues to use his racing wheelchair, hand-cycle, or lift weights on a daily basis. I've never seen someone so dedicated to their daily workout regimen.

I was informed of this fundraiser by a friend currently residing in NYC and it certainly struck a nerve. I told my Dad about the marathon and he instantly started looking up his old marathon training schedule. He also said, "I better wheel with you just to make sure you keep up a decent pace." There is nothing that would make me happier or make my family more proud than to see me cross the finish line, not because I completed a marathon, but because I ran for those who couldn't.

I can't begin to explain what it feels like to have your ability to walk taken away from you, but I can tell you the effect it has on a family. Let's find a way for others to never have those feelings.