September 2011 - Achilles International

the ACHILLES HEEL
Fall 2011
Achilles International
42 West 38th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10018
T: 212.354.0300 • F: 212.354.3978
www.AchillesInternational.org
New York City Chapter
Meets twice a week in Central Park,
rain or shine, all year long!
90th & Fifth Avenue
Tuesdays at 6:15 PM
Saturdays at 10:15 AM
New athletes and volunteers are always welcome!
Sign up online at: www.achillesinternational.org
Contact Us!
Dick Traum, President and Founder
dicktraum@aol.com
Mary Bryant, Vice President
mbryant@achillesinternational.org
Director of Development
mlombardo@achillesinternational.org
Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans
ggriffith@achillesinternational.org
Achilles International Chapters
gshagdar@achillesinternational.org
NYC Chapter
kbateman@achillesinternational.org
Director of National Chapters
ecox@achillesinternational.org
Achilles Kids
kids@achillesinternational.org
WHAT'S INSIDE:
Message From President
Freedom Team
A Day Filled with Hope & Possibility!
NYC Chapter & Tri-Team News
Achilles Kids "All-Stars"
Freedom Team (cont'd)
Achilles Kayak Team, Tennis Fundraiser
National & International Chapter News
NYC Marathon Update; Achilles Calendar
Pg 1
Pg 2-3
Pg 4-5
Pg 6-7
Pg 8
Pg 9
Pg 10
Pg 11
Pg 12
Trisha Meili & Jon Stewart at the 2011 Hope & Possibility 5M. (photo courtesy of Larry Sillen).
A Message From The President
Jon Stewart, a very famous comedian,
joined us for our Hope & Possibility in
June. It reminded me of concerns about
humor and people with disabilities. When
Achilles began, I knew no one with a
disability. Could you make jokes about
it? What about political correctness? Our
first major supporter introduced himself,
stated he knew nothing about what was
proper and asked me how I referred to
my amputation. Without thinking, my answer
was that the politically correct term
was decalfinated. He turned around and
pretended to cough, but it was obvious
that he found it very funny. It also broke
the ice.
Returning to Jon Stewart, I was tempted to
introduce myself as someone who used to
be a stand-up comic, before I lost my leg.
After a hoped for laugh, my counter was
that now I do Sitcoms. So yes, it is OK to
make jokes about disabilities. There have
been a number of experiences where my
amputation could be the source of jokes.
For example, while trying to exit a bus,
without my artificial leg, but on crutches,
a woman, trying to get on accidentally
stepped on my foot. My immediate reaction
was, "That's OK, I have another one
at home." She looked like a deer caught
in headlights and I assured her it was a
joke. Getting out of my handcrank, people
frequently ask if they can give me a hand.
My standard answer is “I need a leg.” At
restaurants, the waiter often volunteers
to take my crutches. "Don't let me forget
them when I leave" is a common retort.
The beauty of going to a restaurant as an
amputee is that the other person is almost
always given the bill. The one exception,
which is a haven for us amps, is the International
House of Pancakes, often referred
to as IHOP. When we get together
at this famous restaurant, it's an opportunity,
of course, for jokes. One old acquaintance
explains he certainly doesn't have
one foot in the grave. Another, describing
some problems with his "C leg", (for computer
chip), is instructed to feed it sea (C)
food. You have the idea.
Our next marathons include Chicago, Detroit,
Washington and New York, where
over 300 Achilles members are registered
to run. You may wish to try some jokes.
But you will have to come up with your
own; these are mine.
Go Achilles!
www.achillesinternational.org

San Diego Marathon
On June 5th we had 25 Achilles Freedom Teamers mostly from
Balboa Naval Hospital, the San Diego VA, and the Long Beach
VA, compete in the 2011 Rock and Roll San Diego Marathon
and half marathon. Freedom Teamer Danny Palacios placed
1st in the handcycle division with a time of 1 hour 41 minutes!
This was his first win and we were all overjoyed as he trained
so hard for this day! We also had Corey Peterson, Miss Wheelchair
California 2011 and a former Marine, compete in the marathon
with her husband! Many thanks to U-HAUL for sponsoring
the team for this event. Also thanks to Rob Lewis of the
DAV and Golden Corral for hosting a prerace dinner at Dick's
Last Resort; Marla Knox and Amanda Rogers of Balboa
Naval Hospital for all their support throughout the weekend;
Mark Bauckman and his Mission Continues crew; and Christina
Sharp of Invacare for volunteering with us on race day,
and to Angela Marzari who took incredible photos of the team
throughout the weekend. Also thank you to Tracy Sundlan and
Jennifer Nanista of the Competitor Group for making special
accommodations for this team each year.
Achilles FREEDOM TEAM
Hope & Possibility
Achilles hosted 26 members of the Achilles Freedom Team of
Wounded Veterans and their families from Walter Reed for the
Achilles Hope and Possibility weekend. Yankee Bus provided
a complimentary bus for the team with a police escort from DC
to NYC lead by a hundred NAM KNIGHTS on motorcycles.
The Union League Club (ULC) provided complimentary hotel
rooms and meals for the team for the entire weekend. On Friday
night the team was honored on center field before the Yankees
took on the Colorado Rockies. The team was also given
incredible seats at the game. Freedom Team member and arm
amputee SSGT Mike Kacer had an especially memorable night
when he caught a fly ball during the game. The catch was #4 on
ESPN’s top ten plays. The clip instantly went viral and Kacer's
incredible catch was seen across the world. From appearances
on Fox and Friends to making the front page of an Israeli newspaper,
Kacer was an overnight superstar. When asked how he
felt about this media attention, he replied that he was happy to
get the word out about how much Achilles has helped him with
his recovery!
Saturday was another eventful day. The team fueled up with a
gourmet breakfast hosted by ULC volunteers, and then headed
downstairs where, thanks to the NYPD, we were able to hold a
handcycle tune up on 36th street. Afternoon activities included
a complimentary ride on the Beast and a special private tour
courtesy of Silverstein Properties and Sal Lifrieri of Tower
7 of the World Trade Center overlooking Ground Zero. Then
the team paid respects to all those who have fallen at the 9.11
Tribute Museum.
That evening the ULC hosted a pre Hope & Possibility dinner
for the Freedom Team. The night began with a solemn hand-
Top row l-r: Freedom Team member from Balboa greets his wife after the race; Mark and
Jon Stewart; Elliot Miller and guide celebrate in San Diego; Danny Palacios gets ready t
Nicely, joined by his wife and platoon-mates, finished H&P in an incredible time of 66 min
on the field before the Yankee game; Richard Whitehead congratulates Dan Cnosse
2 Winter 2011

of Wounded Veterans
cycle dedication ceremony. We were honored to have LTG
David Huntoon, the Superintendent of West Point, recognize
members of the Freedom Team who were racing in handcycles
endowed by people in memory of their lost loved ones. Achilles
board member Enza Jacobowitz and members of her team –
Support our Soldiers – were recognized for endowing over
25 handcycles for the Freedom Team since 2007. Joining Enza
were Bill Howard, Shirley Parrello, Rich Naticchione of the
NJ Run for the Fallen, and Emily Toro. The memory of their
family members will live on through this most fitting tribute. Our
corporate sponsors, GM Military Discount, Bank of America,
Residex, and the Union League Club were also recognized
for endowing handcycles for the team.
After the ceremony, the ULC hosted a Hawaiian themed party
with an incredible buffet of lobster, steak and other gourmet
foods. United We Sing, featuring Achilles’ own Genna Griffith,
entertained the troops with a nautical themed show. Sunday
was race day! To our surprise JON STEWART joined the team
on the course after giving opening remarks with Anthony Edwards.
Jon walked the 5 miles with Marine amputee Cory
Szuks and Mark and Sue Degnan of GM Military Discount.
Glenn Beck and Armie Hammer also turned out to support our
team of heroes!
Thanks to U-Haul for their incredible support of the Freedom
Team and to all the physical therapists and Walter Reed staff
who joined us and have helped train the patients for this event.
Thanks to Gene Lynch, Buddy Ducalo and Kevin Kane of the
FDNY, Roy Griffith of PB Fire Rescue and his significant other,
Stacie Kett, Deidra Penny of Shades of Green, Harry Ullman
for hooking us up with the Yankees, and Tim Leonard who volunteered
with us throughout the weekend. Deepest appreciation
to Duncan Burns, Jessica Lyon, Jodie Brinkerhoff, Bill
Ficca, Sal Lifrieri, and all of the members of the Union League
Club for being such incredible hosts.
Walter Reed Trip
Achilles was fortunate to have the world’s fastest amputee
marathoner Richard Whitehead join us all the way from Nottingham,
England, for Hope & Possibility. He spent time with
the Freedom Team and encouraged them to continue to set
racing goals. After the race weekend Richard joined Achilles
staff members at Walter Reed, where he hosted a running
clinic for the patients of the Military Advanced Training Center.
Over 60 patients joined us and they were in awe to witness
Richard's speed and balance as he demonstrated his running
technique as a double above the knee amputee. After the clinic
Richard presented Dan Cnossen with the 2nd place award for
the double amputee category. Todd Nicely was presented with
an award as the first Quadruple amputee to run the race on his
prosthetics in 66 minutes!
Sue Degnan from GM walked Hope & Possibility with Achilles athlete Cory Szucks and
o race. Second row l-r: Mike Kacer jumps for joy after his star-making weekend!; Todd
utes. Third row l-r: Manny Diaz and Mike Kacer with Nick Swisher; the Freedom Team
n on his race. (San Diego photos courtesy of Angela Marzari-Dulce Photography)
Continued on page 9
Achilles Heel 3

JUNE 26, 2011: A DAY FILLED
The 9th Annual Achilles Hope & Possibility 5 Mile
Race was held on Sunday, June 26, 2011, in beautiful
Central Park. The brilliant sunshine matched
the gleaming smiles of 5,000 runners, walkers, and
rollers of all abilities who gathered to compete and
celebrate. The day was made possible by support
from Goldman Sachs, U-HAUL, General Motors,
Steve & Elly Hammerman, and Silverstein Properties.
Urban Athletics provided discounts with the
race bibs while NUUN and Dunkin’ Donuts offered
refreshments. Volunteers from Goldman Sachs and
the FBI helped ensure that the day’s events went off
without a hitch.
After the athletes crossed the finish lines, Achilles
Kids joined children of all abilities for free kids races.
Smiles were given as freely as medals as the little
ones streaked towards the finish line, proving glimpses
into our racers of the future.
Among the participants in the 5 mile race were teams
from S.O.S - Support Our Soldiers; FBI; Learning
Spring School; JP Morgan; run2give; RSDSA;
First Care; Team UCP; U-Haul; A Step Ahead;
Credit Suisse; Residex; Deloitte; Ernst & Young
Veteran’s Network; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney;
GM; HBO; and Goldman Sachs. Over forty Achilles
athletes and sixty guides from our NYC Chapter
joined members of our new Westchester Chapter, as
well as athletes from the Initiative for Women with
Disabilities, the Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans,
Mid-town East/Rusk, Friedman Diabetes
Institute, Jewish Guild For the Blind, and Odyssey
House.
A team from Rusk Institute’s Traumatic Brain Injury
rehabilitation program competed in the race. First
Top row l-r: Guides Stephen Zink and Greg Cho cheer for Irene Hecht; and
from our terrific race volunteers; Freedom Team members at the h
Second row l-r: Achilles board member Richard Bernstein and his guides r
on the course Third row l-r: racing buddies Adele LaBoz and Paul K
4 Winter 2011

WITH HOPE & POSSIBILITY!
time racers Clint Vaughan and Jim Lillis joined
experienced racers Eli Berman and Nick Cortes.
Thanks to the guides from Rusk Institute who helped
make the day such a success: Francesca Chigounis,
Megan Ward, Ellen Daniels-Zide, and the incomparable
Bonnie Marks who is responsible for
offering these life changing opportunities to the Rusk
trainees.
Elite racer Jason Dunkerly joined five of our Achilles
Ottawa athletes - Mikhail, Olga, Cliff, Margarita, and
Harris—for Hope & Possibility. Jason, a blind runner
who is training for the 2012 Paralympics, finished the
challenging course in a blistering 28:58 – good for
ninth place. After the event, Jason, who is as nice as
he is fast – wrote: This was my first time participating
in the Hope and Possibility race and it was a truly
remarkable and inspiring experience. We know that
for so many people who have a disability, physical activity
is not always encouraged, accessible or readily
available. What Dick Traum and his team are trying to
do in New York City and around the world is helping
to open doors which may otherwise have remained
closed to people and it is amazing to see this in action.
At the end of the day, the results matter far less
than the fact that people who may otherwise never
make it to the start line are having a chance to pursue
their own personal objectives and to thrive through
the experience.
they're off! Achilles Kids start their race; Achilles Kids receive their medals
andcrank start; Jon Stewart and Anthony Edwards start the race.
ace to the finish; Richard Whitehead blazing by; Joe Bellantoni and guide
lien; two members of Team UCP. (photos courtesy of Larry Sillen)
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves Jason! Hope
& Possibility captures the essence of Achilles and the
spirit and energy were infectious. Thanks most of all
to New York Road Runners for their peerless event
organization staff and to Race Director Toby Tanser
who invested untold hours in making the day a rousing
success.
Achilles Heel 5

Mock Tri
On a warm Sunday afternoon in July the Achilles Triathlon team returned
for their second annual mock triathlon at beautiful Old Greenwich
Beach. Fourteen athletes and sixteen volunteers swam, biked,
and ran or cycled through the pristine landscape, followed by a celebratory
picnic. Thank you to veteran Achilles athlete and Old Greenwich
resident Joe Dowling for securing our beach permit for the day
and for all the athletes and guides who participated.
NYRR Queens Sprint Tri
An excessive heat warning from the NYC Office of Emergency Management
could not stop thirteen Achilles athletes and sixteen volunteers
from participating in this year’s NYRR Sprint Triathlon Event.
Applause was heard as each Achilles athlete completed their 400 meter
pool swim, 13-mile bike, and 5k run in Flushing Meadows Corona
Park. Congratulations to first time triathletes Sarah Heller and Billy
Lister who had great performances. Equally noteworthy is that each
athlete who completed this race last year improved their time considerably
this year. Congratulations to Allan Tyson who finished the race
in a time of 1:29:33, bettering his time last year of 1:41:25 and Irene
Hecht who improved on her original time by over 10 minutes.
Nautica NYC Triathlon – August 7th
Nine Achilles athletes and fourteen volunteers participated in this
year’s NYC Triathlon. After carbo loading at a pre-race dinner the
night before at Carmine's restaurant, each athlete finished the race
in under four hours qualifying for the National Championship Division
next year. The five Achilles athletes who competed in the National
Championship Division qualified for Paratriathlon World Championships.
Geoffrey Kennedy will be representing Achilles and the United
States in the Paratriathlon Worlds this coming September in Beijing,
after finishing first in his division by a margin of over 3 minutes.
New York City Chapt
National Championship Division Results:
Geoffrey Kennedy placed first place in Tri 1, Sean VanGerena placed
2nd in Tri 3, Lamar Brown and Joe Bellantoni placed second and
third place respectively in Tri 6 (in their first Olympic distance triathlon).
Joseph Dowling came fourth in the Tri 1 division and at 72 years
young was the veteran paratriathlete by over two decades.
Top row: Achilles goes sailing! Second row l-r: master swimmer Tyler McNeil stops to give Kathleen Bateman a high five; Carol Hopper, Carmelo Puccia and Nina Delgado work
the Achilles team at the Queens Spring Triathlon; Achilles swimmers in the beautiful JCC pool; proud finish
6 Winter 2011

er & Tri-Team News
Open Division Results:
Freedom Team member Dan Cnossen completed his first
Olympic triathlon in a time which qualifies him for the National
Championship Division next year; Richard Bernstein finished
first in Tri 6, and Ricardo Corral won his Tri 1 Open Division for
a second straight year.
Helene Hines was on her way to qualify for Worlds in her premier
National Championship race but suffered a terrifying pushrim
accident during mile 2 of the final leg. She is recovering in
the hospital and is in good spirits. We have no doubt that she
will be back next year and send her all our best wishes for a
speedy recovery.
New York City Chapter
On Saturday August 20th The Manhattan Sailing Club made
available sailboats, skippers, and first mates so 30 NY Chapter
athletes and their guides could experience the beauty of feeling
the sun on their face and nothing but wind to propel them down
the river. Thank you to New York Chapter Volunteer and sailing
enthusiast Lisa Bowers for spear-heading the adventure.
Thank you to the Kessler Foundation for its support of Achilles'
NYC Chapter!
Junior Board
Thursday, June 23rd the Junior Board celebrated its first Hope &
Possibility Fundraiser with a Bar Night at Rathbones Pub & Grill.
It was a fantastic evening. Junior Board Members, athletes, volunteers
and many new faces came out to celebrate and support
Achilles and the 9th Annual Hope & Possibility 5 Miler. The Junior
Board raised upwards of $5,000 thanks to generous donations,
entry ticket sales and a raffle that happened throughout
the evening which included first-rate prizes! The evening was a
huge success and a terrific way to ring in the Hope & Possibility
weekend. Other Junior Board members continue to raise money
and awareness for Achilles, including Darren Bounds who
has now raised over $5,000 on his FirstGiving page. Go Darren,
Go Achilles Junior Board, and as always....GO ACHILLES!
out with the Achilles tandem team. Bottom row l-r: Nick Roumanada, Andy Huh and Billy Lister at the Junior Board night; Dale Layne, Kat Bateman and Allan Tyson kick back;
ers from the AHRC Manhattan Without Walls program are Master Pryor, Sarah Ward and Yaritza Vasquez.
Achilles Heel 7

The end of the school year is an especially
exciting time for our Achilles
Kids school program. After a year of
running, walking, or rolling 26.2 miles
in all kinds of weather, the children
who have completed 26.2 miles are
rewarded with a brand new pair of
NIKE sneakers! Below is a snapshot
of three very special end-of-year ceremonies.
Providence: On a bright and sunny
day in May, a total of 140 students
in 13 classes at the Meeting Street
School in Providence, RI, capped
off a year of Achilles Kids workouts
with a celebratory race. The brilliant sunshine highlighted the
beautiful happy, smiling faces on the children as they charged
to the finish line. Adaptive Physical Education Teacher Mary
Cooper was thrilled with the progress the students made over
the course of the year and we are all very proud of their accomplishments!
Brooklyn: The third annual P 369K Achilles Kids Spring Celebration
was held on June 17th. More than 90 students proudly
wore the brand new Nike sneakers they earned after walking
up to 49.2 miles over the course of the school year! Each
class displayed banners that they had made for the occasion,
and their works of art were truly awesome. There was some
poignancy to this incredibly joyful celebration however, as we
bade a very fond and very sad farewell to Adaptive Physical
Education Teacher Robert Basinger, who has made the program
there truly magical. He will be greatly missed at Achilles,
but we send our very best wishes to him as he begins medical
school at Columbia in September!
Achilles Kids "All-Stars!"
Roanoke: Special Achilles Kids End of Year Fun Runs were
held in Roanoke, Virginia at Fishburn Elementary School, Fallon
Park Elementary School and
William Fleming High School on
July 27th & 28th. More than 70
Achilles Kids members ran circles
around all of us in this “runapalooza”
of group runs, timed runs and
relay races. We want to thank
Adaptive Physical Education
teachers Rob Sawyer and Amari
Saint for all the wonderful things
they do to make the program in
Roanoke so special.
These were just a few of the many
wonderful Achilles Kids end of
year ceremonies that were held
this year. We want to thank ALL the AMAZING, AWESOME,
and DEDICATED Adaptive Physical Education teachers in our
program for the countless hours of time, effort, love and devotion
they put into making our program so successful each and
every year. It is indeed a privilege to work with all of you!
Achilles Kids Weekend Program has enjoyed a fun-filled season
of sun and games! With sweltering temperatures and a
long luxurious break from school, we took refuge in the cool
air of the JCC to celebrate Parents Day and the 4th of July.
We travelled Under the Sea, to the further reaches of space
to Shoot for the Stars, and celebrated all things Summer. As
always, our great volunteers – including at one workout Miss
New York, Kaitlin Monte – kept kids laughing and learning.
Thanks to the incredibly generous support of the NY Yankees,
40 members of the Achilles Kids family had the opportunity to
watch the Yankees battle the Tampa Bay Rays. Parents and
kids alike were thrilled by the incredible seats behind home
plate. We can never thank the Yankees enough for this special
experience.
Clockwise from top center: Eli, Kael, and Jah'vid with their medals at the H&P finish line; Miss New York and Achilles Kid KE play duck duck goose; End of year ceremony
for the Achilles Kids at MS 180.
8 Winter 2011

FREEDOM TEAM of Wounded Veterans
Continued from page 3
Rio Marathon
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was the amazing half marathon destination
for four Achilles Freedom Team members (in finishing
order): Freddy de Los Santos, Luke Murphy, Alex
Leonard and Orlando Gil. Thanks to the efforts of Charles
Klotsche, executive director of our Globetrotter program, major
support in Rio was provided by George Cohon and McDonald's
Latin America, with additional support organized by
UBS in Palm Beach for travel and visa expenses. McDonald's
arranged for presentations to Andef, a major sports complex
for people with special needs in Rio, and the Ronald
McDonald House, where the team had the privilege of playing
with children undergoing cancer treatments. Additionally,
the delegation joined Retired FDNY Captain and devoted
Achilles supporter Dan Daly in a visit to two high schools
including one in the well-known "City of God." Reaching these
vulnerable teenagers was quite an experience and we're grateful
to the State Department for making it happen. Other highlights
included Corcovado, Sugarloaf Mountain, awesome restaurants,
samba with some locals and of course, the Brazilian bikinis. It
was an international marathon trip that will be hard to beat. Special
thanks to Robin Stringer who helped in every way imaginable
and to our tour guide/translator Ana Maria who stopped at
nothing to take care of the group.
The Mission Continues Fellowship Program challenges post-
9/11 wounded veterans to continue service to their nation by
serving their communities. Through a fellowship, a veteran may
volunteer for 28 weeks with the Freedom Team, learning how to
use qualities and skill-sets gained through their military service
as a way to benefit not only their own lives, but the community
around them. Veterans also receive resources for personal and
professional growth, including a cost of living stipend. For more
information, visit MissionContinues.org.
Achilles volunteer Tim Leonard continues to organize local races
for Freedom Team members. On July 30th Mike Minard and
Evan Marcy competed in the Queens Half Marathon. Mike was
the first handcrank finisher, in 1:02:51; Evan was right behind in
1:22:10. Congrats to both racers and a big Thank You to Tim,
who does a spectacular job, handling all the necessary details so
the vets can have a great race.
The Blue Star Mothers of NJ held a mini H & P on Sunday, July
17. They raised more than $2,000 for the Achilles Freedom Team
of Wounded Veterans. Enza Jacobowitz and her Team Support
our Soldiers made this connection. Enza had unprecedented
success with her fundraising campaign this year. Team S.O.S.
raised more than $40,000 to honor her brother Louie Marciante,
Jr. and other fallen soldiers. Over four years, Enza has raised
more than $100,000 and in the process kept the memory of her
beloved brother and many like him alive.
Top to bottom: the Team in beautiful Rio; Tim Leonard with Achilles athletes Evan Marcy and Mike Minard at the Queens Half Marathon; Enza Jacobowitz of Team S.O.S
and one of the many handcranks she has endowed.
Achilles Heel 9

Achilles Kayak Team
The Blackburn Challenge, held on July 23rd, is the premier open water
event in the Northeast. It is a race of 20+ miles around Cape Ann, to
Gloucester in Massachusetts. This, the 25th year of the event, was the
first time participating for the Achilles Kayak Team. Dehydration and
heat stroke were very much in the mind of the team as we prepared for
the race. This July was the hottest on record and we packed plenty of
fluids for the expected ocean roasting. We had four tandem teams, all
paddling Current Design Unitys.
There were 267 vessels ranging from single open Dorys to OC6 outrigger
canoes – the biggest field to date. Our race started heading north
up the Annesquin River. The boats become more strung out as they
hit the open ocean and proceed through Lobster Pot Ally. This is an
active 'lobstering' area and the buoys are everywhere. Dan O'Connor
and Gary Williams navigated them deftly while Robin Francis and Ricardo
Corral were blazing ahead. The other teams were composed of
Kam Truhn and John Devine in one boat and Dick Traum and Dave
McPherson in another. The half-way mark is twin lighthouses and a
narrow gap between a headland and island. At this point the race becomes
more strenuous and the effort is plain on the competitors’ faces.
The turn to the finish is after a couple of miles of technical paddling
toward and along the Gloucester Habor breakwater. Rounding the light
at the point is welcome but also starts the long 2 mile haul to the beach.
This last stretch is punctuated with navigating large swells from fishing
and sightseeing boats, but ultimately ends with calling your number
across the line. The pain stops and the back slapping begins.
The finishers were as follows:
Ricardo Corral and Robin Francis (3 hours, 20 minutes, 55 seconds)
John Devine and Kam Truhn (3 hours, 37 minutes, 55 seconds)
Dick Traum and Dave McPherson (3 hours, 46 minutes, 25 seconds)
Dan O'Connor and Gary Williams (4 hours, 17 minutes, 41 seconds)
These were all very respectable times for the event and with this inaugural
benchmark, we will be back next year! Go Achilles!
Parent-Child Charity Tennis Event Aces Expectations
Sunday, September 4th, the summer concluded for many Westhampton tennis players with a charity event organized
by 12-year old Casey Turtel, who is entering the 7th grade at Trevor Day School in Manhattan. Casey organized the
charity parent-child doubles tennis tournament in partnership with tennis professional and philosopher Happy Bhalla,
Director of the Wholistic Tennis Academy, and with help from Casey’s family. The tournament raised just over $3,500
through entrance fees, donations, a silent auction and a lemonade stand. Achilles will receive half of the proceeds,
which brings Casey closer to his fundraising goal of purchasing a handcrank wheelchair for a disabled athlete who
cannot otherwise afford one.
Defying thunderstorm predictions, over 20 teams participated in the event, with another 30 attending as spectators and
silent auction bidders. Thank You to the following Westhampton Beach businesses who so generously donated items
to the tournament as prizes, auction items, and edible goodies: Waldbaums, O’Suzanna, The Beach Bakery, Silver
Spoon, MD Tennis, Wetter or Not, and Sweet Jenni’s Cupcake Shop. The auction donations were procured by
Casey and his friend Edgar, who were thrilled that so many businesses responded positively to their “door to door” request
for donations. Thanks Happy Bhalla and Le Club for helping to make this event a remarkable success. Thanks
most of all to Casey, his mom Fredda, dad Andrew, brother Jake, and sister Micole for their support of Achilles.
10 Winter 2011

National & International Chapter News
David Finland had another fine Achilles
outing on May 21 at the Run For Freedom
5K along the C&O Canal in Washington
D.C. He placed 15th out of 221 runners
with a time of 23:47. David also ran very
well when he came to New York for Hope
& Possibility, finishing with a time of
35:58. Next up is the NYC Marathon, at
which David will try his first marathon. His
parents and brothers are rooting him on
as he trains tirelessly through a brutally
hot summer.
Long time Achilles athlete Simone Adair
completed the Marine Corps Historic Half
Marathon -- wearing her Achilles shirt!
Simone hopes to compete in the New
York and LA marathons and will keep racing
towards her goals!
Achilles Brazil brought 17 athletes to the
Track & Field Shopping Center Norte 5k
and 10k on June 5, 2011. It was the second
time Achilles participated in this race,
at which each disabled athlete received
R$400 (approx. U.S. $230) to buy gear in
the Track & Field shop.
However, amidst the always impressive activities
conducted by Achilles Brazil, it is with
great sadness that we mourn the passing of
Antonio Maciel, who died in a car accident
in Rio de Janeiro on June 9. Maciel, a nurse,
had a serious accident that resulted in his
legs being amputated. This never dimmed
his zest for competing and enjoying life.
Maciel was always a joyful presence at the
NYC marathon and he will be deeply missed
by everyone in his Achilles family.
After seeing their planned 2010 trip cancelled
because of volcanic eruptions in Iceland,
Achilles athletes finally had the terrific
time they had been waiting for in Poland
where they competed in the Cracovia Marathon.
The athletes were especially touched
by the hospitality and warm welcome they
received. We are especially thankful for the
Department For The Affairs of People
with Disabilities run by Mr. Dasal and his
assistant Mr. Kot, who showed the great effort
in providing excellent care during Achilles’
stay. Our deepest gratitude goes to Halina
Koralewski for organizing the trip.
Top to bottom on opposite page: Ricardo Corral and Robin Francis with their medals; Dick Traum and Dave McPherson celebrate a successful race;
pg 11: Clockwise from top center: Mario Mello with Antonio Maciel, a beloved member of Achilles; Halina Koralewski with Mike Fradera;
the handcrank field at the Cracovia Marathon.
Achilles Heel 11

2011 ING NYC
Marathon Update
November 6 cannot come quickly enough for members
of Achilles International. On that day, approximately
250 Achilles athletes will run, walk, or roll,
through all five boroughs. For some it is their first
time competing in a marathon, for others a yearly
ritual but for all it is an amazing accomplishment and
a spectacular day! Achilles needs volunteers to help
out marathon week, including at the Race Expo and
at the Achilles Reunion Area at the finish line. Email
Eleanor Cox at ecox@achillesinternational.org for
more information.
To support our athletes in the NYC Marathon, and
our programs enabling people with disabilities to be
active and achieve, Achilles will be holding our annual
gala on Wednesday, November 2. Email Megan
Lombardo (mlombardo@achillesinternational.org)
for more information about ticket and table prices.
Upcoming Achilles International Events
NYRR 5th Avenue Mile New York, NY Saturday, September 24th
Westchester Triathlon Westchester, NY Sunday, September 25th
NYRR Long Training Run Central Park, NY Sunday, September 25th
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Chicago, IL Sunday, October 9th
Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research Central Park, NY Saturday, October 15th
Race for Rehab Valhalla, NY Sunday, October 16th
Detroit Marathon Detroit, MI Sunday, October 16th
Marine Corps Marathon Washington D.C. Sunday, October 30th
ING NYC Marathon New York, NY Sunday, November 6th
Palm Beaches Marathon Festival Palm Beach, FL Sunday, December 4th
All events subject to change. For more information, please call 212.354.0300
or visit us online: www.AchillesInternational.org
Check us out on Facebook!
Achilles International • 42 West 38th Street, 4th Floor • New York, NY 10018
T: 212.354.0300 • F: 212.354.3978 • www.achillesinternational.org • info@achillesinternational.org