I, Carol, am once again supporting the Courage Classic for kids like Ari and grown up success stories like Caleb Baker.
For those who have donated in the past, thanks again., and thanks in advance for this year! For 2026 you may know I’ve been a bit absent, and I’m looking forward to joining the Second Wind team at Copper to volunteer as soon as I fly home. I see how much goes into preparing for and operating and participating in this ride. I love being able to extend my contribution by asking for a little from my people (you:).
Here’s a story from the organizers about Ari.
When Ari was 15 months old, he was diagnosed with early-onset scoliosis (EOS). EOS is very different from the much more common adolescent scoliosis. Not only does it appear earlier in life, but it is also more likely to be relentlessly progressive, debilitating, and a sign of other underlying issues. As a result of his diagnosis, he was forced to wear a hand‑crafted brace 23 hours a day -- a difficult feat for a toddler!
Doctors weren’t sure how long Ari would need to be in the brace, but they told his parents it could potentially be years. Thankfully, the skilled and compassionate team of doctors and orthotists at Children’s Hospital Colorado worked together with Ari’s parents, and after just 18 months, Ari was able to stop wearing the brace.
Today, amid ongoing treatment, Ari is as active and rambunctious as a 5-year-old should be — so much so, that he is now a rider in Courage Classic! In 2025, after two years of riding in a trailer on the back of his dad's bicycle, Ari got to decorate his bike and participate in the Courage Cruise. Then, he even conquered the 12.5 mile ride to Summit High School the next day on his own bicycle under his own power (“by his own,” as he would say!) That’s a lot of pedal strokes on a bike so small!
We participate for kids like Ari: kids who show courage every single day. And we participate to support the caregivers who make stories like his possible.
Thank you for helping children like Ari get the care, hope, and healing they deserve.
