About the Race

“I believe what the devil tried to use to destroy me, God will use for His glory.”

Words of faith from a young man challenged more than most of us will ever experience. On June 20, 2004, a fourteen year old Nick Reid was on his way to sunny Florida, looking forward to playing in the sand and sun as most kids do. But instead of running on the beach or splashing in the ocean, Nick spent the next few months in a children’s hospital, finding out he was paralyzed, after a car accident that changed to course of his life in an instant.

Nick prayed, “If it’s Your will Lord, I am ready to go.” But it wasn’t. Through numerous surgeries and set backs, Nick’s faith remained intact. His mother hung scripture on all of the walls of the hospital room, words of promise, hope and healing. All who entered his room would know he believed for a miraculous healing.

A conversation with his sister and trainer about one of her recent races plants a seed of interest that could change him, and the lives of others with physical challenges, forever.

“Nick, if you had a racing wheelchair, do you think you could do a race?” His sister had shared with him that at several of her races she had seen a small group of participants in wheelchairs. As she was describing what she had seen, she was hoping a tiny spark of interest would ignite in him. Would he really be able to take part in such an athletic event? A marathon? “I know I could” was his answer of affirmation.

That tiny spark has turned into a passion that Nick wants to share with others that are feeling trapped by the confines of their wheelchairs. With the help of his sisters, they have created the “Where There’s A Wheel, There’s A Way 5K” to raise funds to buy sports wheelchairs for others like Nick that want to lead an active, positive lifestyle by pushing the limits and constraints that typically sideline them due to life’s challenges.

Nick has begun physically and mentally training for his first race, but still lacks the funds to purchase one of the specialty built “sports” wheelchairs that have to be custom made for the owners. With that in mind, a kick off event will be held in Spring 2009 to introduce potential sponsors and supporters to the “Where There’s A Wheel, There’s A Way” mission and to raise enough financial assistance to supply Nick with his specially crafted chair. The mission is:

To encourage and motivate physically challenged children and adults to live active, healthy lifestyles through participation in local and national races.

This will be achieved by providing sports wheelchairs with proceeds from the annual “Where There’s A Wheel, There’s A Way” walk/fun run.

The first official race is slated for spring 2009.

Be one of the first to pledge your support of “Where There’s A Wheel, There’s A Way.” Everyone deserves the opportunity to lead the most stimulating, active lifestyle possible. Wouldn’t you like to help?

“There will be many obstacles and challenges when climbing the mountain, but in the end, you will have learned from them; they will have made you stronger, mentally and spiritually.” James Briggs