Scout Basset - her story
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Left and alone, Scout Bassett began her journey. At an early age, Scout lost her right leg due to severe burns. Later she was abandoned at a Chinese orphanage to endure hardship, abuse and child labor.
For years Scout hoped for something to change her fate, but her dreams seemed a lifetime away. Then when she least expected it, a miracle occurred and she was adopted by an American family at the age of seven, taking her from an uncertain future to a world of opportunity.
For years Scout hoped for something to change her fate, but her dreams seemed a lifetime away. Then when she least expected it, a miracle occurred and she was adopted by an American family at the age of seven, taking her from an uncertain future to a world of opportunity.
With help from CAF, her parents and prosthetist, Scout actively competes in triathlons. Her relationship with Sarah Reinertsen over the years has also helped her overcome many challenges. In 2007, she qualified and competed in the ITU Triathlon World Championships in Hamberg, Germany, finishing in second in her division of her first international competition for triathlon. She claimed silver again in 2008 at the Vancouver Triathlon World Championships.
Drive, determination, athletics and outstanding academic success has lead Scout to her next journey, attending UCLA on a full scholarship. She’s finished her sophomore year and has flourished with strong grades, established a large social network and acts as a Resident Assistant in the dormitories, all the while representing CAF as a spokesperson.
Scout is passionate about pursuing her athletic interests, educating people about the physically challenged and helping raise funds to allow remarkable individuals like herself to live active lifestyles. She is an inspiration for all to follow your dreams and live extraordinary lives. CAF enthusiastically supports Scouts in her athletic, personal and academic goals
Drive, determination, athletics and outstanding academic success has lead Scout to her next journey, attending UCLA on a full scholarship. She’s finished her sophomore year and has flourished with strong grades, established a large social network and acts as a Resident Assistant in the dormitories, all the while representing CAF as a spokesperson.
Scout is passionate about pursuing her athletic interests, educating people about the physically challenged and helping raise funds to allow remarkable individuals like herself to live active lifestyles. She is an inspiration for all to follow your dreams and live extraordinary lives. CAF enthusiastically supports Scouts in her athletic, personal and academic goals
Rudy Garcia-Tolson - His Story
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Rudy lives by a simple motto: A Brave Heart is a Powerful Weapon. He was born with rare, multiple birth defects – a combination of crippling Pterygium Syndrome, a clubfoot, webbed fingers on both hands, and a cleft lip and palate. His legs would not straighten from the knee and he was forced to crawl or push himself in a wheelchair. While other kids played outside, Rudy sat and suffered. He was an eager little boy trapped in an imperfect body.
At age five, after 15 operations, he told his parents he wanted to move on; he would rather be a double amputee than continue to put up with what his life had become. He had both legs removed above the knee … and he's never looked back.The loss of his legs marked the beginning of his life. When Rudy was eight years old, he told the world he would swim in the 2004 Paralympic Games.
He was true to his word and brought home the Gold in the 200 Meter Individual Medley in 2004 and 2008, while shattering the world record for his class.
Rudy continues to swim as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Elite Team. He’s completed numerous triathlons individually and was the first bilateral above-knee amputee to finish an Ironman® 70.3 using a standard bike. Rudy has also won several prestigious awards, including the Arete Courage in Sports Award and the Casey Martin Award from Nike. His latest athletic aspiration – to be the first bilateral above-knee amputee to finish the Ford Ironman® World Championship this October in Kona, Hawaii!
Through his example, Rudy has mentored other amputee kids and helped CAF raise more than $21 million to ensure his challenged peers have the same opportunities as he did.
At age five, after 15 operations, he told his parents he wanted to move on; he would rather be a double amputee than continue to put up with what his life had become. He had both legs removed above the knee … and he's never looked back.The loss of his legs marked the beginning of his life. When Rudy was eight years old, he told the world he would swim in the 2004 Paralympic Games.
He was true to his word and brought home the Gold in the 200 Meter Individual Medley in 2004 and 2008, while shattering the world record for his class.
Rudy continues to swim as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Elite Team. He’s completed numerous triathlons individually and was the first bilateral above-knee amputee to finish an Ironman® 70.3 using a standard bike. Rudy has also won several prestigious awards, including the Arete Courage in Sports Award and the Casey Martin Award from Nike. His latest athletic aspiration – to be the first bilateral above-knee amputee to finish the Ford Ironman® World Championship this October in Kona, Hawaii!
Through his example, Rudy has mentored other amputee kids and helped CAF raise more than $21 million to ensure his challenged peers have the same opportunities as he did.
Featured Articles:
The O&P Edge, Nov. 2008: http://www.oandp.com/edge/issues/articles/2008-11_19.asp
Cody McCasland - HIS STORY
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Born with a condition called sacral agenesis which resulted in missing his tibias, seven year-old Cody McCasland’s legs were amputated through the knee when he was just 15 months old. He showed his true colors when only two months later he was walking on prosthetics and mobile like any other kid his age. Eager to run like the other kids, Cody received his first pair of running legs by the age of five and hasn’t stopped since.
Cody and the McCasland family were first introduced to the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) in 2007 when they attended a CAF Catch a Rising Star mobility and running clinic. He worked with certified prosthetist and gait specialist Peter Harsch and elite challenged athletes at the clinic to improve his running and gait while using his new running legs. Just months later, he entered nearly every track event he could at his first Endeavor Games at the University of Central Oaklahoma. Also an avid swimmer, he brought home several gold medals for his age and classification in both disciplines.
With aspirations of following Rudy Garcia-Tolson’s footsteps of competing in the Paralympics in swimming, the possibilities for Cody are endless. But, even at only seven years-old, he’s already reached great heights. Over the past five years, he’s raised more than $100,000 for CAF and the hospital that provides his care. He’s spoken and inspired countless individual through national media exposure on Inside Edition, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Oprah Whinfrey Show; and motivates our wounded warriors with visits to the military hospitals as a spokesperson for CAF.
His smile is infectious. His disposition is always cheerful. And the world is his oyster!
