Page 36 - Tom Steyer Issue

portion of society where physical activity and social interaction is vital for inclusion.
in Spartan Para team races using his Freedom Chair, a rugged, all-terrain wheelchair designed for outdoor adventure. The events are 5Ks with obstacles along the way and a competition among teams of four adaptive athletes.
For people like Max, even at age 9, it has been impor- tant to shift recreation toward other outlets. Max has been swimming in his grandmother’s pool, taking on household chores, and mowing the lawn on his dad’s zero-turn riding mower.
“Unfortunately, Spartans have stopped,” Tyler said. “You’d think since you have a couple thousand people on a race course that they naturally stay away from each other, but a lot of the obstacles rely on cooperation and working together as a group. Plus, you’re just touching stuff. It’s not the most hygienic scenario.”
The shift isn’t quite as exciting as ripping around the ice on a sled.
Tyler Rich has dealt with the same letdown but man- aged to use the pandemic to train.
Tyler’s “Team Still Loading ...” finished with third in last year’s second annual Spartan Para Team Champi- onship in Laughlin, Nev.
Tyler, from Crozet, Va., has cerebral palsy and competes
36 ABILITY