Get Up and Move

Chris and Maggie

My proudest achievement is surrounding myself with some of the greatest people because without them and their support I would not be where I am today. I was so proud of the efforts of my good friend Maggie, who is going into her senior year of high school and a requirement to graduate is to complete a senior project. A tremendous runner and athlete, she decided to organize and direct a 5K to benefit the IM ABLE Foundation and was held on Father’s Day, June 20. She attracted a tremendous turnout and despite the hot and humid weather she was able to raise $2,000 to support our efforts!

A large contingent of my Corps Fitness regulars came out to compete and as always showed their support by sporting their CF shirts. Another humbling experience to see all who came out to run to help Maggie and her efforts to raise money for IM ABLE. Click here for pictures from the event.

Corps Fitness crew supports RU ABLE? 5K

Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to visit New York City and had a great day. My friend Dave Mclain’s boss invited me up for an opportunity to speak to his company about my life and what I’ve been doing since my disability. After this we did a two loop ride around Central park, which was the first time I’ve visited the park and truly enjoyed it. That evening we attended the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) gala event at the Woldorf Astoria hotel and was a tremendous turnout with a lot of great disabled athletes that I’ve met previously as well as some new faces. As with IM ABLE, CAF wants to project the disabled community not in a pitying or unable light but as competitive and very able with the help of some great adaptive equipment. I say this all the time, but right now is the best time to be disabled because of the numerous opportunities to become or stay active as well as compete on the highest level due to improvements with adaptive equipment. People who are able-bodied could learn a lot from the stories of accomplishments that individuals from the disabled community and how they’ve overcome their challenges and become tremendous athletes regardless of their hurdles.

L-R Chris Kaag, David Mclain and Nick Jekogian

On August 21, 1994 I walked off the bus at Parris Island, SC at 2am and started a 3 month journey that would end with me earning the title US Marine. During those three months I learned a lot and my body was transformed but the experience would provide more for me but was something I wouldn’t realize until many years later. On one of our last 4 1/2 mile runs, I was leading the platoon with my Drill Instructor Sgt Hart motivating us and leading a very quick pace. I thought I was not going to finish because my shins hurt so bad and the pace was more than I thought I could handle. “Don’t quit on me Kaag” were five simple words yelled by my DI, who must have seen I was struggling but were the words that kept me going until I dropped after the finish line.

A few days later I graduated and went on with my career only to have it cut short by my nerve condition while overseas. After my diagnosis and over the years my condition has gotten to the point where I need to use a wheelchair to get around. I was fortunate to have been blessed with an attitude to move on despite the challenges and not make any excuses as to why I cannot accomplish anything. Over the years I have reflected on my time as a Marine and more importantly my time at Parris Island and the attitude that was forged in me during those formidable months, and realized that experience has helped me through my disability. I tried to locate Sgt Hart so I could express to him what his five simple words did for me outside of bootcamp because everytime I was presented a challenge his voice resonated in my head and I was able to push on. After 5 years of looking for him I came across another Marine who was great friends with him and passed along his contact information. I was able to express to him my admiration for the lessons he taught me and ensure he knew that his determination to train us right helped change my life for the better. The culmination of my quest was last Saturday when we drove to Quantico, VA, where he is now stationed and after 16 years I was able to have a face to face discussion with now Major Dave Hart, my drill instructor. He is still a motivator and true Marine and meeting with him and his family was an absolutely GREAT DAY!

Chris & Major Dave Hart

My sister-in-law Lauren, trail name “Neon”, is hiking the 2600 mile Pacific Crest Trail to raise money and awareness for IM ABLE! To keep updated on her progress and where she is click on the logo above to visit her blog. Please offer your comments to Neon for encouragement to complete this incredible goal!

I cannot believe it was our 7th year already! For those that have been with us since the start, you have seen this event grow and I pride myself on putting on a race that attracts all levels of triathletes that come together to make it a motivating and great day. We had 16 states represented this year and one from Canada! The weather, while not blue skies and sunny as in years past, was rain free and a perfect race temperature. The new bike out and in prevented runners and bikers from crossing, which helped tremendously with keeping things safe as well as giving spectators some good vantage points to watch their athletes. I thank everyone who helped make the day a success. Huge thank you to my volunteers – without their support GTN would not be possible. To all my sponsors, competitors and spectators, your help in supporting our efforts will allow us to provide the opportunity for someone with a disability to compete and realize what they’re capable of achieving. Please check out our site to see what we are doing throughout the year. Registration will open August 1, 2011 for the 8th Annual on May 21, 2011

It has been about 11 years since I have been able to get into the woods and ride. When I was discharged from the Marine Corps I was still able to ride a mountain bike and would go pretty much everyday. About a year after I was home,  I got to the point where I could no longer ride a regular bike due to my nerve condition and had to stop my trail riding. 2 weeks ago I was back to where I left off on our new addition to the IM ABLE arsenal of adaptive equipment, the mountain handcycle. I picked it up on Wednesday evening and didn’t stop riding until Monday, putting in about 25 miles over those 4 days! The feeling of getting back into the woods and riding on the trails is something I hope to share with anyone who is in my shoes. My friends helped me to traverse the smaller trails due to the wideness of the handcycle and I wasn’t breaking any speed records but having the ability to do this is incredible.

Click on the pic above for a video my good friend Matt took of me hiking with my wife at Nolde Forest in Mohnton, PA. The possibilities for this rig are endless and I plan to get out there and show everyone what they are.

As with everything we do at IM ABLE, we want to share these types of experiences with others who have disabilities so please have them contact us and we can give them the same experience

This coming Saturday will mark the 7th year we have put on the Got the Nerve? Triathlon in Mt Gretna, PA. This race is a sprint distance tri consisting of a 500 yd swim, 16 mile bike and a 5k run. This is a great starter race for anyone who has ever wondered if they could do a triathlon. The day is full of motivated and helpful competitors who encourage everyone to finish. As this benefits the programs of the IM ABLE Foundation, we are pleased to host some disabled athletes who will compete side by side with their able bodied counterparts.

We have a sold out crowd of 800 competitors and if you want to come out and join us for this great day please check our website for more information.

5 year old Jordan with his dad Mike, looking at his new handcycle

On May 11, 2010 approximately 60 came out despite the rainy weather, to help the IM ABLE Foundation present 5 year old Jordan with his new handcycle. Among those who attended were the 3rd grade class from Whitfield Elementary school who helped raise $540 to help with the purchase of the handcycle. We wanted to have kids of all ages come out with their bikes to help Jordan receive his new bike and ride with him to show the acceptance of someone with a disability and the way in which we all can look beyond our differences through being active.

Giving the opportunity to get out and be a kid and ride a bike is the goal of the IM ABLE Foundation and we look forward to seeing Jordan get into his new ride with his family and friends.

Read article in Reading Eagle newspaper

Click for more pictures of the event and IM ABLE

Ceren, who kicked off the fundraising efforts of her 3rd grade classmates

Preston and Steve Show from L-R: Nick, Marissa, Gretchen, Preston, Chris, Steve, Kathy and Casey

I don’t get star struck nor do I make a big deal about celebrities but what I do concern myself with is good people. Coming onto the Preston and Steve show on April 22nd was an opportunity to 1. get some awareness out about free registrations for any disabled athletes in the sold out ‘10 Got the Nerve? Triathlon 2. meet the people my wife and I listen to daily. For anyone who lives in or around Philadelphia knows how big these guys are so I was a bit anxious when I came in but once they introduced themselves and we got underway it was like talking to my friends. Down to earth and truly good people made the whole experience a great one. The response and the feedback I’ve received from being on the show has been phenomenal and I’m thankful for the opportunity to be involved with this group.

To listen to the podcast click here and forward the time to 57:08 to hear Chris’s segment

Chris Kaag during his segment 4/22/10

Chris Kaag (center) From L-R: Karyn, Nat, Tom, Scott and Gretchen Kaag

Sunday morning was a bit chilly compared to the warm days we’ve been having but nonetheless we signed up for a ride and ride we did! I did this ride last year and this ranks 2nd to the CAF Triathlon Challenge ride in LaJolla, CA in terms of difficulty. It has hills and then you turn another corner and there is another one!! Aside from that the wind was bit aggressive but all in all it was great ride and we did it in around 4 hrs. The Outback chicken sandwich never tasted so good when we finished and what a great start to the riding season. Thanks to all my friends who waited for my slow butt coming up the steep hills!