My name is Austin Charters and I am 14 years old. I am a Freshman at a Charter school in Apple Valley, CA. On October 1, 2006 I was shot in the neck during a freak hunting accident. This injury has rendered me a C5 quadriplegic. Before my accident I was a very happy, funny, and very energetic boy. I loved to ride my motorcycle, race my BMX bicycle, hunt, paintball, snowboard, and play all kinds of sports. I was also in my first year of running Cross Country at school. It has been 2 long years and I have been working really hard to get strong and active again. I would love to have a new handcycle so that I can get exercise as well as be able to take bike rides with my family and friends. I really miss the times that my 17 year old brother, Ryan, and I used to ride our bikes together and go jumping with our friends. A lot of people are unsure of what my abilities are and this would be a great way for me to show them that I can still do a lot of the same things that I used to do except a little differently now. I would sincerely love the opportunity to get a bike to feel "normal" again and get back into doing activities with in my community.
Thank you for hearing my story and giving me this opportunity. Austin Charters
