What began as three friends’ kindness and compassion to help one athlete paralyzed in triathlon has now grown into a powerful current that has carried and supported those with physical challenges – empowering them to find community, confidence, and conviction.

MISSION AND HISTORY

It is the mission of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) to provide opportunities and support to people with physical challenges, so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. The Challenged Athletes Foundation believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.

OUR VISION

Challenged Athletes Foundation vision is to be a recognized leader in a movement through which physically challenged athletes are accepted and respected at the same level as able-bodied athletes, to have a great and significant impact on each physically challenged athlete served, and to reach out to the physically challenged community by providing inspiration, awareness and mentoring.

FROM ONE CAME MANY

In 1994, an effort to help one man launched a global change in the way athletes with physical challenges are perceived and perceive themselves. Jim MacLaren was an exceptional athlete, first as an amputee and then as a quadriplegic. After losing his leg in a motorcycle accident, Jim became a pioneer, achieving feats that others never thought possible for amputees. Jim may no longer be with us, but his legacy lives on through Team CAF.

25 YEARS OF CHANGE

Celebrating 25 years that helped change the world, CAF is proud to have played a pivotal role in not only changing the lives of tens of thousands challenged athletes globally, but in evolving the world's perception and acceptance of those with physical challenges.

WHY IT MATTERS?

One minute of happy dances will answer that.