2024 CAF Community Weekend Grant Recipients
2024 CAF Community Weekend Grant Recipients
This year’s 2024 Community Challenge Grant recipients are another step closer to achieving their dreams because of partners and supporters who believe that every human deserves the right to lead an active lifestyle. These athlete stories remind us all, that with access to the right resources, anyone can unlock their athletic potential.
Estella Madrigal
Grant Award: Össur Running Prosthesis
Estella Madrigal lives in San Diego, CA with her younger sister and her parents and at the age of eight, she underwent an above knee amputation due to osteosarcoma.
Estella is currently in the fourth grade, where she thrives in math and science, and loves spending time with her friends. She has a passion for swimming, singing, and voice acting. Estella would like to express her gratitude to Rudy Garcia-Tolson and her prosthetist, Alex Hetherington, for their hard work and dedication, as well as to everyone at CAF for their ongoing love and support.
With the Össur Running Prosthesis, Estella will gain the ability to move more freely and confidently, allowing her to fully engage in sports and activities she loves, from swimming to running, and beyond. This advanced prosthesis will help her run faster, jump higher, and explore new physical possibilities, giving her the freedom to pursue her dreams.
Alejandra “Allie” Glover
Team Coastline Grant Award: Sports Expense Grant
Allie grew up in Orange County and was a standout athlete on the UCLA women’s tennis team. However, after college, she was diagnosed with late-onset Tay Sachs Disease, which took away her ability to run and play tennis.
Determined to continue in the sport she loves, Allie was introduced to CAF through its wheelchair tennis program. Recently, she was awarded a sports expense grant, which will provide crucial support in acquiring a tennis chair tailored to her needs. This grant will enable Allie to continue her training and compete at a high level, bringing her closer to her goal of someday competing in the Paralympics.
Stellah Jongwe
Chairman’s Grant Award: Top End Racing Chair
Stellah Jongwe, born with phocomelia, is an extraordinary athlete whose resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit inspire all who witness her journey. At just 22 years old, she has become Zimbabwe’s top female wheelchair racer, making a name for herself in the global para-athletics community.
Stellah’s accomplishments are impressive, including gold medals in the T53/54 category at the OCC Outeniqua Wheelchair Race in both 2019 and 2022. She has also dominated the women’s wheelchair 21km category at the Tanganda Tea Half-Marathon for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023) and claimed back-to-back victories at the Econet Wireless Vic Falls Half Marathon. Additionally, Stellah triumphed in the 2023 Sunshine City Marathon and has emerged victorious in several prestigious wheelchair races across Zimbabwe.
To continue her rise to the top, Stellah will benefit from a Top End Racing Chair, which will enhance her performance and enable her to train and compete at an even higher level. With this advanced chair, she will have the speed, comfort, and support needed to reach new personal bests and push toward her ultimate goal of competing on the world stage.
Collin Bosse
Grant Award: Surfboard
In April 2023, Collin sustained a spinal cord injury and became a quadriplegic after diving into unexpectedly shallow water. Following rehabilitation at Craig Hospital, Collin returned to San Diego with a determined goal: to return to surfing. Prior to his injury, Collin was an elite surfer, and over the past year, he has been learning from adaptive surfers, working toward his dream of competing with Team USA Para Surfing.
Collin has recently returned to the water, where he surfs in a prone position, and he is now set to receive a customized surfboard.
This specialized equipment will allow him to compete more independently, empowering him to take his surfing to the next level. With the support of the surfboard grant, Collin can continue his journey toward returning to competitive surfing, where he hopes to make his mark once again.
Micah Magana
Jamie Marseilles Kid’s Run Grant Award: Össur Athletic Prosthetics
Micah was born with an undetectable blood clot in utero, which, within 72 hours, restricted blood flow to his lower extremities, resulting in the amputation of both legs below the knee. Despite these challenges, Micah has always been full of energy and thrives in social environments, enjoying the company of his peers and engaging in activities with an infectious enthusiasm.
This past August, Micah received his first pair of Össur sports prosthetics at a running and mobility clinic in San Francisco. These advanced prosthetics will significantly enhance his mobility, allowing him to run, jump, and participate more fully in the activities he loves.
With the support of these Össur prosthetics, Micah can continue to pursue his passion for sports and enjoy greater independence, opening up a world of possibilities for both athletic achievement and personal growth.
Akeem Kearse
Grant Award provided by Toyota: Top End Force 3
Akeem Kearse attended CAF’s Community Weekend for the first time, where he was introduced to the program through Kelly Worrell, CAF Programs Manager, at a sailing clinic.
Akeem, a bilateral above-knee amputee and avid cyclist, was first introduced to handcycling in New York City and has been riding a borrowed handcycle ever since. Thanks to the Top End Force 3 Handcycle grant provided by Toyota, Akeem will now have the freedom to ride whenever and wherever he wants, unlocking new possibilities for both training and recreation.
This state-of-the-art handcycle will enhance his performance, offering greater comfort and control, and allowing him to continue pursuing his passion for cycling with confidence. Akeem’s inspiring journey is chronicled in the short documentary “Steps,” available on the OKC Thunder YouTube channel, which highlights his incredible resilience and path to success.
Kerry Peterson
EōS Fitness at Tour de Cove Grant Award: Sports Expense Grant
Kerry is a lifelong athlete and passionate advocate for health, wellness, and fitness. Since sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2022, she has remained committed to her fitness journey and has become a powerful voice for the disabled community and adaptive sports. Kerry has explored various wheelchair sports, including wheelchair pickleball, softball, basketball, and CrossFit, demonstrating her versatility and determination.
The sports expense grant will empower Kerry to continue pursuing her passion for athletics by providing the resources needed to participate in even more sports. With this support, she can expand her already impressive resume and further inspire others within the adaptive sports community.
Clara Longoria
Robert Spotswood Endowment Grant Award: Sports Expense Grant
Clara Longoria, an 11-year-old from Idaho with Spina Bifida, is a passionate athlete who has embraced nearly every sport offered by CAF, with a special love for alpine skiing and dancing. Known for her positive attitude at clinics, Clara always looks forward to making new friends and trying new activities.
After recently undergoing a spinal fusion, Clara is excited to explore her favorite sports with her newly straightened spine.
The sports expense grant will enable her to participate in skiing lessons in Sun Valley, ID, with her favorite coaches at Higher Ground, allowing her to continue pursuing her passion for skiing and further develop her skills.
Elijah Shultz
Robin Williams Endowment Grant Award: Sports Expense Grant
Elijah is a 13-year-old multi-sport athlete who has thrived in sports thanks to the guidance of his mentor, Derek Loccident. Born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, Elijah underwent an amputation of his left leg below the knee and is also missing parts of most of his fingers, with a clubbed right foot. Despite these challenges, he has excelled in a variety of sports, including wrestling, track, weightlifting, football, baseball, and basketball.
As the quarterback and team captain of his football team and a standout offensive player in baseball, Elijah has earned numerous accolades, including multiple all-state showcase team selections. His ambition is to become the first collegiate quarterback with a prosthesis to earn a scholarship. Sports have profoundly impacted Elijah’s life, helping him develop leadership skills and resilience both on and off the field.
The sports expense grant will provide Elijah with the resources to pursue his athletic goals, including access to specialized equipment and training. This support will help him continue to break barriers and push toward his dream of playing at the collegiate level, while serving as an inspiration to others in the adaptive sports community.