Team Cody was formed in 2004 with the sentiment of raising funds for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) as a way to say "Thank You" for all they have done for our son, Cody McCasland. Since then it has transformed into so much more. Over the past five years, Team Cody has raised nearly $92,000 for TSRHC, and in 2008, also raised over $3,500 for Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). In 2009, Cody was asked to be a Spokesperson for CAF. As a Spokesperson for CAF, Cody attends athletic events, fundraisers and clinics to assist in furthering the mission of CAF by supporting physically challenged persons in their quest to reach their athletic goals. Cody also serves as a mentor to new challenged athletes. As a team, Team Cody will focus its efforts in 2009 on fundraising for the Challenged Athletes Foundation through the San Diego Triathlon Challenge. We will also continue to support TSRHC through Cody's personal appearances at TSRHC events, including participating in the Dallas White Rock Marathon.
As a spokesperson and multi-year grant recipient from CAF, Cody has been able to train, travel and compete in various athletic events, and to act as an inspiration for others, such as our military professionals that have come back from Afghanistan and Iraq with amputations. Cody has been allowed the opportunity to meet with several of these servicemen, spending time with them and showing off his "unlimbited" abilities. He feels very privileged to share their time and looks forward to continue with these meetings.
Cody McCasland is 7 years old and a double above knee amputee. He was born with a rare birth defect called Sacral Agenesis that caused his legs to form both missing tibias and knees. He has been receiving care at TSRHC since he was just two months old. After numerous consultations with Dr. Tony Herring, Cody's orthopedic surgeon and the chief of staff at TSRHC, we decided it was in Cody's best interest to amputate his legs through the knee to give him a chance at mobility. This surgery was completed when Cody was just 15 months old, and he received his first set of prostheses when he was 17 months old.
Over the past year Cody has continued to challenge himself physically. Cody competed at the University of Central Oklahoma Endeavor Games, again winning gold medals in running and swimming. He competes as a double amputee on an able-bodied competitive USA swim team, the Texas RiverSharks. Cody has run in multiple local one and two mile runs and kids races, including the kid's run at the San Diego Triathlon Challenge. He also ran the last portion of the Team Cody Relay at the Dallas White Rock Marathon. Cody continues to play sled hockey with the Dallas Sled Hawks.
In 2009, Cody looks forward to competing in his first Muddy Buddy, supporting CAF, an IronKids Triathlon, UCO Endeavor Games, National Junior Disability Championships, San Diego Triathlon Challenge, Dallas White Rock Marathon, and in competitive swim meets during most months. With the financial support from CAF, all of those dreams can become a reality.
Cody has been very expressive about his dreams of going to the Paralympics for swimming. He would like to compete in the areas of running and triathlons. With the support of family, friends, prosthetics from TSRHC, Challenged Athletes Foundation and other sponsors, such as yourself, we hope to help him make these dreams a reality!
