Team River Runner has been a true blessing and a gift to me. I am a U.S. Army veteran. I recently lost my right leg due to an unknown Heparin allergy while having right hip replacement surgery last October. My leg was amputated below the knee in January of this year (2013). I was a triathlete prior to my amputation.

Kayaking with Team River Runner has brought me to a new sport, that I never thought was possible. It is a sport that my wife and I can enjoy together since Team River Runner supports family members, too. TRR volunteers are the most compassionate and caring individuals ever. They are definitely knowledgeable in working with amputees and those afraid of being underwater and others with various challenges. TRR volunteers go the extra mile according to one’s specific need. They worked with my wife individually to help her overcome her fear of going under water. My wife now has done several water exits and has overcome her fear of being under water. We never thought we would be able to enjoy a sport together, so much. (I’m not suppose to run marathons now with my hip replacement surgery).

TRR has brought a sense of hope and determination to our life, and joy to our hearts. I was just fitted with my prosthetic leg in May, 2013, and started kayaking with TRR shortly after. We have been kayaking at Lake Sammamish, WA and Nisqually Delta, WA with TRR, as well as, weekly indoor pool training.

THANK YOU TEAM RIVER RUNNER for making this possible – to improve the quality of Our Life together & to ENJOY the Journey!

Happy Paddling to All,
Sincerely,
Dave and Ally Goldsberry

P.S.

Special Thanks to Anne Peterson – Seattle VA Recreation Therapist & Seattle TRR Volunteers: Nicole & Matt, Connor, Earl, Ed, Keith, Sybil, Alisha