Team Brenchley
What a Friend Will Do - Team Brenchley's Story
Brian Brenchley was diagnosed with cerebral palsy following his birth in April 1977. As Team Brenchley's web site states, "In short, his mind is all there, but his body is not. He must have assistance with almost every aspect of life from eating and bathing, to opening a door. He is not able to speak vocally, but instead uses a small computer mounted on his wheelchair to spell out words one letter at a time." (http://www.teambrenchley.com)
Brian and Tyler Sorenson became friends after meeting at Weber State University in Ogden. Several years after college, Tyler -- a professed hater of running -- began being dogged by a persistent thought to begin hiking and running and taking Brian along for the ride. He eventually approached Brian with the idea and immediately got his answer from the huge smile that broke out across Brian's face.
Fundraising to Keep on Going
Since 2004, Brian and Tyler have competed in more than two dozen races, including several marathons, and they are currently fundraising to help meet travel expenses and the costs of the special competition equipment necessary for them to race.
For example, recently received and making a world of difference in Brian's wheelchair comfort and his being able to compete with Tyler is a state-of-the art custom seating system for his racing wheelchair. Provided by Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Otto Bock HealthCare, the OBSS is for patients who need significant posture support. Using CAD CAM technology, Brian's seating has been custom contoured to fit him perfectly.
Tyler points out, "Up to this point Brian has had to fight through agonizing pain in almost every marathon we have run. Brian has both scoliosis and kyphosis meaning that his spine abnormally curves to the front and the back, as well as from side to side. The longer races, specifically marathons, were especially difficult."
By directly addressing Brian's physical issues, the Otto Bock cushion has been key to enhancing Team Brenchley's perfomance, helping knock off several minutes of their race times because of Brian's greatly improved comfort level. But everyone agrees that the most important result is Brian's increased ability to enjoy the thrill of racing.
Pushing Harder, Going Farther
Team Brenchley has run a number of races this summer but is especially excited about having made the jump from marathons to triathlons. A boat/harness system that Tyler rigged up allows him to pull Brian behind him as he conquers the swimming portion, and they have also come up with a bike/chariot combination for the biking portion of triathlons.
Following a very successful season, the St. George Marathon in Utah on Saturday, October 3rd, will be Team Brenchley's final marathon of 2009.
Just how far have these best friends come over the years together? Tyler can't help but give a little laugh.
"I remember my very first training run once I decided to do this with Brian," he says. "I could barely breathe or walk when I got home. I couldn't wait to see what distance I'd gone so I drove the route and found it to be only a little over a mile. That seems so long ago now. We've covered so much ground since then -- hundreds of miles in fact -- and every one of them is a real testament to the power of friendship. "
*Minnesota-based Otto Bock HealthCare LP was established in 1958 as the Americas corporate headquarters of Otto Bock HealthCare, GmbH, based in Duderstadt, Germany. Otto Bock has more than 3,800 employees worldwide and produces over 25,000 types of prosthetic and orthotic components, mobility and rehabilitation products, and is the U.S. leader in delivering continuous passive motion (CPM) services and related therapies. (http://www.ottobockus.com)
