Kelly Brush Rides: 2007 – Present

Patrick is the president of Northeast Disabled Athletic Association (http://www.disabledathletics.org/), a Burlington, VT-based nonprofit organization that helps people with physical disabilities try sports. He is also a Professor of Philosophy at Saint Michael’s College in Burlington. Since Kelly was injured in 2006, Patrick has been a great mentor and always a great friend to the Kelly Brush Foundation.

How were you introduced to the KBF? I heard of Kelly’s skiing accident and invited her to our sports open house when she left rehab. She went sailing in our fully accessible Martin 16 sailboat. I joined the KBF ride that year, I believe it was the 2nd ride, and have been riding each year since.

What makes the Kelly Brush Ride so special? It’s an opportunity for handcyclists (and cyclists) to gather and ride together to support a great set of causes and raise awareness about living successfully with a spinal cord injury. In addition, it is a really beautiful ride.

“The spectacular views of the Adirondacks and Vermont landscape are so beautiful and getting to enjoy them in September and be part of an important effort makes it all special.“

Why do you ride? Chiefly because I whole-heartedly believe in the mission of the KBF and see this as a wonderful opportunity to support the organization but also to rally handcyclists.

Any fundraising tips? Contacting friends and family via email and social networking sites. The team and personal fundraising pages make it super easy to reach out for donations.

“Because I whole-heartedly believe in the mission of the KBF…“

Any cool stories from the Kelly Brush Ride? Just riding along with friends through the beautiful rolling hills of Addison County would be the obvious. The spectacular views of the Adirondacks and Vermont landscape are so beautiful and getting to enjoy them in September and be part of an important effort makes it all special. That and I reached my maximum speed in a handcycle going down the hill near Monument Farms Dairy: 46 MPH!