The Million Dollar Inspiration

Today is the first day I feel I am coming back to reality. What a week!

My friend Terri Olah, one of the biggest fundraisers of the MDC this year, said it all on her
Facebook page…

“Got home last night from the CAF Million Dollar Challenge! What an amazing week!!! The 620 mile ride from San Francisco to San Diego seemed to fly by...can't believe it is already over and can't wait to do it again next year :-) If you want to go on a great bike vacation and also raise money for an incredible cause...I highly recommend doing the ride next year.  CAF put on a first class ride!!! Everyone on the ride was incredible. From the CAF staff to the bike mechanics to the massage therapists...you never wanted for anything! All the Challenged Athletes were the most amazing!!! I have never felt so inspired ever!!!!”

This is what life is all about and during the ride I had an opportunity to connect with a few great SCI (spinal cord injured) ambassadors and mentors for the foundation that we will be launching very soon, Freedom To Live.

I promised I would tell you more about FTL so here is “ABOUT US.”

About Us

Freedom to Live is a nonprofit organization committed to providing the life-giving gift of comfortable, affordable housing to people who are overcoming the complications and challenges of living with a spinal cord injury. We ensure that their living space accommodates their physical needs and most importantly, we take the extra steps to help them make their house a home—a special place with all of the warmth, security and promise for happiness that everyone deserves.

FTL applies all of its energy and effort into finding "what can be" for our recipients rather than merely settle for “what is.” We serve the Southern California region and work with various local, state federal and private organizations to coordinate vital services needed by SCI individuals to make independent living successful.

About Us | Mission

FTL is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible housing to individuals who have survived a spinal cord injury (SCI) and desire to live independently in the community.

About Us | Vision

Our vision is to prevent SCI individuals from facing life in a nursing home. Freedom To Live Foundation (FTL) will enable them to pursue their dreams and take control of their destiny from the comfort and security of a stable, safe home environment.

There is so much work to be done. I know now why God gave me the gifts of athletic ability. One day very soon Freedom To Live will host events that, through sport, will inspire many to come together to give the opportunity for a quality of life and freedom to live to all Catastrophic injured people.

God bless all my friends that I had the great pleasure and honor to pedal 620 miles with. Thank you again to all that have supported CAF, I have been so blessed by this organization and I know, sharing in the experience, you have too.

Enjoy the pictures...

Blessings,

Sian

Legendary and great friend John Howard and I looking forward to a great week ahead.

Paraplegic and MDC rider, Erik Nrothbrook and family in San Fran

Terri Olah and I ready to go

Typical Sag stop on the MDC

Coastal beauty

Every evening we are treated to a first class experience with lots of inspiring stories

JJ, Tamara and I, as you can see we had salad that night for dinner (HeeHee)

We just called them "The Garmiin Guys"

Group 1 on a really fasssssst day

Ahhhh no wind and so much beauty

Terri's group got to stop and see the sites a little more than my group this day

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Big Sur

God's amazing glory!

Kelly and Terri after 119 miles

Team member and hand-off of the 673 Mile MDC Coastal Running Challenge

Half way point and the smiles were just so big. They ran 24/7 and set a new world record for the longest continuous running relay ever!!!!

My hammering team mates

Tamara and I soaking tired bodies

It looked so good all our friends came to join us

and Mark, owner of a bar in San Fran made sure everyone had enough refreshments

Another great dinner & great friends, don't sign up for this ride to loose weight!

Garmin guys and their "Moms" (haha)

Capturing why we do this...AWESOME-NESS

Chatting with the Celebs!

Biker up, car back, hole, pole, Toranchula!!!!!!!!!!!!

David Lee rode every mile of the 620. It's like wrapping your head around triathletes Chrissy Wellington and Craig Alexander's athletic achievements; just incredible and inspiration.

Second to last day, yes my belly is bigger than when I started.

Blind rider, David and his pilot Daniel. We had another tandem on the ride, a couple engaged to be married soon. Ummm riding a tandem isn't as easy as it looks!

Everyone needs friends like I have been blessed with

Diane and Terri riding into our final destination The Laguna Cliffs in Dan Point

Trek Support Team. They make us all feel as important as the pros

Sag stop in New Port Beach

Janina and Jill, thanks for cheering us on.

CAF riders and cheerleader

Last lunch on the road, lots of lycra and hungry people

Last destination hotel in Dan a Point. Perfect!!!

Final evening Gala

Terri Olah, highest fundraiser! Way to go Terri!!

MDC rider Sully and his band.

Ezzra (son of Clayton MDC rider) and Terri, generation and generation of hope and fulfillment of dreams

Fellow MDC rider with wife, and sons.
Son Ezzra, Amputee and future NBA Basketball Star!!!

You know you are old when you haven't heard about such a COOL company as Skull Candy!!!
Free stuff, we all love that!!! Thanks Skull Candy love my swag!

Undefeated Ironman Champion Chrissy Wellington giving of her time to the kids.

This is what it's all about.
I bumped into a dad that is planning to ride the MDC next year with his 2 sons on a Tri-Tandem.
Both sons (one son pictured in front in Wheely) have Cerebral Palsy