Carolyn Team Rider
Riding The Tour in	Tennessee to Georgia
Riding out of	Atlanta, GA
Motivation for joining The Tour	I am excited to share my story with others and hope to inspire and educate them on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, even when faced with physical limitations or challenges.
Reasons for adopting an active lifestyle	I have been active my whole life but have had to battle weight issues, smoking and stress. In 2005, I was in the best shape of my life after a two year hiking regime to the top of Stone Mountain in Georgia. Suddenly, I was infected with meningococcal meningitis with septicemia (blood poisoning). My strain was rare and mostly fatal to those infected. I was very close to death but my fitness level saved my life! After ten days in an induced coma, two weeks in ICU and two and a half months in the hospital, both legs were amputated below the knee and my right hand was left with serious defects. I was approved by Medicare for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Through aggressive rehab, multiple hand surgeries and the available prosthetic devices, I was able to decline SSDI and returned to work ten months later. I just celebrated my twenty year anniversary with CIGNA. I am blessed to be back to "normal" and only a bit scratched and dented. I drive a car without adaptive equipment. I love the outdoors. I camp, bike, swim, adaptive ski (water and snow), kayak, whitewater raft and am an avid gardener.
Why a healthy lifestyle is important	My physical challenges make weight management extremely important to ensure he best fir and function of my prosthetics. The rewards of accomplishing anything challenging improves my mental status and makes me feel great. I am lucky to be alive and able to do the things that bring bliss into my life. By eliminating health risk factors, I look and feel better. I enjoy life, have a passion for fun and look forward to a healthy future.
One piece of advice to help others live a healthier life	Find physical activities that you enjoy so you benefit from the fun while maintaining fitness. When dieting, include foods you love but limit your intake to one serving size and watch the calories. Eliminate trans fats and high fructose corn syrup as much as possible.