Congratulations to Footform Gold Medal Athlete Barb Buchan

For many years we have been sponsoring U.S. Paralympian cyclist Barb Buchan with our Footform Orthotics. Barb is an inspiring and now quite famous athlete who at age 52 won 2 Gold Medals at the Beijing Olympics while setting a world record! (Of course she wore Footform orthotics in her cycling shoes!) With that victory in place, most of us thought that Barb would retire from cycling.

Retirement is the farthest thing from Barb's mind. She recently returned from Italy with a new victory and para-cycling world record. Here are the details:

• Where: 2009 Para-Cycling World Championships in Bogogno, Italy. Sept. 11, 2009
• What: Gold Medal Winner - LC3/LC4/CP3 - Time Trial BUCHAN (USA) with a time of 32:02 for 20k
  

Barb is very pleased with her results and compliments her coach, Bend resident, Justin Wadsworth for his years of training. Justin, himself a former Olympian and now World Cup Coach, also guided Buchan to two Gold Medals in the Beijing Paralympics last year and continues to guide her to her recent victories. Next month Buchan travels to Manchester, England to compete in the Disabled World Championships on the velodrome.

Barb's physical, mental and emotional strength inspire all of us. The New York Times has featured a few articles about her. From Death's Door to the Medal Podium by Allan Schwarz, is one of my favorites.

Despite Barb Buchan's awesome successes, she is not able to get the level of financial sponsorship that relieves her money worries as she concentrates on her training. She is working as much as possible, but the extent of her head injuries along with the demands of her training severely limit her efforts. You can read about one of Barb's cyling fundraisers on my wife's CreateAndRelate blog.

Barb Buchan's always needs help with cycling expenses and donating to her will make a big difference in whether she can compete or not:

Send Donations (not tax-deductible) to: (Please Make the Checks out to Barbara Buchan)

Barbara Buchan
c/o CORIL: Central Oregon Resources for Independent Living
PO Box 9425
Bend, OR 97708

Barbara thanks you for your support.