Access Trax Grand Prize Winner in FedEx Small Business Grant
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In case you missed it, on Monday May 4th, FedEx officially announced the winners of the 2020 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. Out of over 4,000 entries, Access Trax is proud to be chosen as the grand prize winner. “This grant represents so much more than just a financial boost that will help Access Trax succeed for years to come” says CEO Kelly. |
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A Tribute to Angela Madsen: Paralympian, Record Breaker & Iconic Rower
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We are deeply saddened by the news that 3x Paralympian and Marine Veteran Angela Madsen (60) passed away last week while attempting her dream of rowing across the Pacific Ocean solo. She will long be remembered for many things including founding the California Adaptive Rowing Program (CARP) so that other adaptive athletes can participate in the sport. May we find comfort in the fact that Angela died doing what she loved and lived a life full of incredible accomplishments with an aptitude for overcoming adversity.
A Guinness World Record Breaker (14 to be exact), Angela was an accomplished ocean rower. Some of her records include being the oldest female to row the Indian Ocean, the fastest unsupported row around the British mainland, and a member of the first all-female team to row across the Mid-Pacific. She was also an award winning Paralympian on land and broke the record for farthest female shot put in 2016.
On her latest journey across the Pacific Ocean, Angela rowed solo from Los Angeles, covering 1,114 nautical miles in 60 days and was about half way to her destination in Honolulu. She was able to communicate to her wife Deb and others via satellite. It was a silence of several hours that alerted Deb that something may be wrong. Angela had gone into the water for planned maintenance on the boat (with a tether for safety). The Coast Guard was alerted and many hours later it was confirmed that Angela was no longer with us.
The documentary Row of Life is planned to still be completed and shared. Currently, the mission is to recover the Row of Life boat and also bring Angela's body back to the U.S. The family and filmmakers are sharing that this is no longer a solo row, but a team effort. If you would like to donate or learn other ways to help, please visit their website here.
Angela was such an inspiration to us all. When asked what her secret for success is, Angela answered, "One stroke at a time, just always after the next stroke when you think you can't go on. It's basically about not allowing situation and circumstance dictate who you're gonna be and what you're going to be able to achieve." In another show of her wit and humor, Angela once answered the question 'why would you, a paraplegic, want to row across an ocean?' with the response, "to get my sea legs!"
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Watch the teaser video for the Row of Life Documentary about Angela's decision to row from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii.
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Beach Trax Product Rebranded to Access Trax
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Did you know that the Beach Trax portable pathway came before the company Access Trax? The product was born in 2016 as occupational therapy students Kelly and Eric completed a class project in Assistive Technologies. Inspired by adaptive surfers, the modular pathway became known as Beach Trax. It wasn't until February of 2018- after the two graduated grad school- that Kelly and Eric founded the company, Access Trax.
As the team and customers realized that accessibility implications reached far beyond sand at the beach (gravel driveways, grassy parks, campgrounds, even snow), it became clear that the Beach Trax name was a bit limiting. While the company's name of Access Trax speaks to accessibility in general, it is time that the product name becomes more aligned with it's incredible versatility.
A few weeks ago, we shared on social media that we were considering rebranding the Beach Trax product to be called Access Trax just like the company. You can also call it "Trax" for short. Your support for this move was overwhelmingly positive and we are so excited you agree. We now have one brand name and feel more prepared to send our message of accessibility and inclusion to the world as marketing efforts are increased.
Over the next few weeks, you'll notice some updates regarding the product name on our social media and website. But don't worry, if you still love the Beach Trax name, it will not be forgotten! Beach Trax is part of our history and beginning. You can also think of it this way- if you are using the Access Trax product at the beach, feel free to call it your beach Trax. If you are using the Trax in snow, feel free to call it your snow Trax! The "Trax" is basically the root word and you are free to fit the product name to match your adventure! Thank you for your support and feedback.
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Watch Kelly's Webinar: Intro to Adaptive Surfing
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Watch Kelly's debut webinar on the topic of adaptive surfing. The 20 minute presentation shares common types of adaptive surfing, equipment, and how to get involved.
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Interview with Greg Durso, Adaptive Athlete & Program Director of Kelly Brush Foundation
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Access Trax caught up with the Program Director of the Kelly Brush Foundation, a nonprofit that inspires and empowers people with spinal cord injuries to lead active and engaged lives. Each year, the KBF awards grants so individuals can purchase adaptive sports equipment and stay active.
Tell us a little bit about yourself, Greg.
I grew up on Long Island in New York, went to college at Penn State and then started a banking career back on Long Island. I grew up playing soccer, skiing, boating and wakeboarding. Always get teased about it but I was the captain of the Penn State Wakeboard team for two years, we were absolutely terrible but it was fun. Then after college when I was 23, a little less than a year into my new job at Empire National Bank I suffered a spinal cord injury on New Years of 2009 in a freak sledding accident at Okemo MT in VT. I became a T-4 paraplegic but I decided to just be myself and have fun instead of feeling sorry for myself and the rest is history. So now I'm still an avid skier, Ironman finisher, wakeboarder and Mountainbiker.
How did you first get involved with the Kelly Brush Foundation?
Right after my injury my Aunt actually came across the KBF doing an internet search. She told me the foundation helps people who have suffered a spinal cord injury get active by providing grants for adaptive sports equipment. She also told me they were holding their 3rd annual Kelly Brush Ride Fundraiser that September. I was able to buy a beginner handcycle at an Abilities Expo in NY in April right after I got out of the hospital and biking 20 miles with Kelly at the ride was my first ever goal post injury. I accomplished it and never looked back. They helped me get a grant for a monoski (my favorite sport) and then an even better handcycle so I could do the Ironman. I have always gone back and done the ride every year and helped them out when I could. Then at the ride in 2018 I looked around and said this is what I want to be doing with my life? So one year ago I moved to VT to become the Program Director at KBF. I know how important all those moments, opportunities and experiences I had gotten because of the equipment, how it transcended the sport and helped me thrive after my injury and I wanted to give back and give others those same opportunities and experiences I've had. I know how truly life changing it is. So now I'm in charge of the grant process and outreach with our grant recipients as well as attending events spreading the KBF word.
What has been your favorite adaptive sport moment in your life?
I think it would definitely be finishing Ironman Maryland 6 weeks after I just missed out on Ironman Lake Placid. I worked so hard and the joy was in the journey.
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