Thursday, November 20, 2003 TODAY
East Campus news
LLU Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Institute sponsors the San Diego Triathlon Challenge
 |
| Peter Davidson, CPO; Jake Frank; Rudy Garcia-Tolson; and Mike Davidson, CPO, pause for a moment after the race is over. |
In the second year as the title sponsor for the Challenged Athletes Found-ation
San Diego Triathlon Challenge (CAF), Loma Linda University Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation
Institute helped 10 teams from Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences
Center compete in the half-triathlon event. Thirty individuals from LLUAHSC took
part in either portions or all of the 1.2-mile swim, the 56-mile bike ride, and
the 13.1-mile run that started in La Jolla Cove on November 2.
The event sold out all 450 spots for competitors in its 10th year. Started in
1994 to raise funds to help athletes with a disability gain independence and
break barriers others have set before them, this year the race brought in more
than $1 million for the CAF.
 |
| Jake Frank (center) receives his first pair of running legs from his hero, Rudy Garcia-Tolson, at the Spin de Cove event held at the 10th Annual San Diego Triathlon Challenge. |
In a special presentation, Rudy Garcia-Tolson, the 15-year-old double
amputee spokesperson for CAF and founder of Team BraveHeart with fellow
racers Robin Williams and Scott Tinley, gave a pair of running legs to
5-year-old double amputee Jake Frank. Jake, a native of North Dakota,
saw Rudy when he appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show two years ago. Jake’s parents taped the program and
took it to Great Plains Rehabilitation Services in Bismarck where they showed
it to certified prosthetist and orthotist (CPO) Peter Davidson. They wanted prosthetics
for their son just like Rudy had. Mr. Davidson recognized Rudy’s own CPO,
none other than Loma Linda University Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Institute’s
Mike Davidson—his brother.
Jake was ecstatic to receive his first pair of running legs from his long-time
hero and role model, and Rudy was all too happy to oblige. Great Plains Rehabilitative
Services teamed up with LLUORI, CAF, and Ossur to donate the legs to Jake.
[Top] [email this page]
Thursday, November 20, 2003 TODAY
All contents copyright © 2002 Loma Linda
University. All rights reserved.
Revised
Monday, December 8, 2003 2:54 PM
Send comments and questions to webmaster@univ.llu.edu
URL: http://www.llu.edu/