Dan is a double amputee. He has been training to do IM Maryland next month. He signed up for the race as it was wheelchair accessible. He's been trying to get a hold of them for months, with no response. This is a post that he originally submitted to the 2016 Ironman Maryland's race group:
The Ironman corporation has decided that because I am a disabled triathlete I am not allowed to compete in this year's Maryland Ironman race. They haven't given me any reason as to why they've made this decision. If you care about para-athletes, wounded vets, disabled Americans, or human beings in general, please get in touch with Ironman, athleteservices@ironman.com, and let them know how you feel.
Thank you.
-Dan
Hey fellow IM Marylanders. I registered for this year's race way back in October of 2015. I'm an athlete that lost both of my legs while serving as a young Army officer in Afghanistan back in 2009, and due to my injuries I'm now a "wheelchair athlete." I chose the 2016 IM Maryland to be my first full distance IM race and when I registered, the information available listed the race as being open to wheelchair athletes. The 70.3 Eagleman, run on mostly the same course as 140.6, is open to wheelchair athletes, but for some unexplained reason, IM corporate has decided that this year's 140.6 race is not open to wheelchair athletes, and more specifically, IM corporate has told me that I am not allowed to compete as a wheelchair athlete. They haven't given me any reason as to WHY this is the case.
As an avid athlete, a board member of the nation's largest amputee-focused non-profit, the Amputee Coalition http://www.amputee-coalition.org/, and an advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, I find this decision by Ironman to be ill-advised. Less than 1/3 of IM's North American races are open to wheelchair athletes. Since triathlons naturally occur on courses with water and open roads, I find Ironman's efforts to open their races to wheelchair athletes to be disappointing.
I am disappointed in Ironman's decision, my family and my friends that have supported me during my efforts to recover and train for this monumental experience are also disappointed in Ironman's decision. If you, my fellow athletes, are also disappointed in Ironman's decision I kindly ask that you contact Athlete Services, athleteservices@ironman.com, and let them know that you feel that their decision to bar wheelchair athletes from competing in the 2016 IM Maryland is short-sighted and unjustified (as they've given me no actual reason for why wheelchair athletes can't compete)...
Furthermore, I ask that you tell Ironman that their current percentage of wheelchair-open races (about 30% of all IM races) is underwhelming and is quite frankly, insulting to the millions of disabled Americans that simply want to be able to prove themselves in the same way that all of you want to prove yourselves.
Best of luck to you all. I know just how much effort it takes to prepare and train for an Ironman and I wish you all the best of luck. I'm sorry that I won't be able to join you all out on the course. Never quit.
-Dan Berschinski
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Bruce
ALBOPADS XTERRAWETSUITS NEWTON OAKLEY FIZIK GARMIN ROTOR COMPUTRAINER QUARQ HONEYSTINGER