Friendship even better than finish line for Winnipeg teen with cerebral palsy
My Team Triumph pairs able-bodied runners with wheelchair users for winning combination
Winter streets are bumpy for Allie Onslow's wheelchair when she heads out for a run with Carl Seier, but sometimes the real barrier to their five kilometre trek is their stomachs.
"Sometimes we run by a Tim Hortons and think donuts are better than running so we stop," said Seier.
"Donuts are good," agreed Onslow.
Onslow and Seier are part of My Team Triumph, an organization with a big presence in the United States, and one Seier wanted to see here. It pairs able-bodied runners with people in wheelchairs who would be otherwise unable to participate in the race.
Each team consists of a captain and an angel. In this pair's case, Onslow, who lives with cerebral palsy, is the captain.
"It's been eye-opening to me," said Seier of his friendship with Onslow. "When I started the program, I didn't know anybody with disabilities, and I'm actually trying to train myself to not use that word. It's not about political correctness. I think it's more about embracing all kinds of diversities."
Onslow and Seier completed their first race together at the Manitoba Marathon in 2014 and have trained together ever since. Allie loves the weekly outings.
"It makes me cry a little bit in my heart."
She said they're happy tears because of the opportunity to be healthy.
Right now My Team Triumph has three racing wheelchairs, but Seier wants to see the team grow.
"I'd love to see us have 20 captains at the front row of the Manitoba Marathon," said Seier. "I'd like to buy more bike trailers and boats so we can have a stronger presence in the triathlon community as well."
Allie is excited about the upcoming Colour Me Rad event in May, a fun run where runners are doused in paint throughout the race.
Seier is also looking forward to the race and is trying not to think too much about cleaning the wheelchair at the finish line.
Access Denied is a CBC Manitoba series exploring accessibility for people with disabilities in Winnipeg. If you have a story you want to share, email [email protected].
CBC News