Why I ride
I still choose to honor Isla!
From Isla's Parents Ellie and Matt: "Isla was born a few weeks early, weighing just under 5 pounds. Luckily she was only in NICU for an hour and we were able to take her home within a week! Everything was fine until she was 4 months old, when she got a cold. It progressed quickly and her Pediatrician thought she might have pneumonia. We went to Children's Hospital thinking we'd be there for a day... but instead we were there for 5 weeks. Isla was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), which is high blood pressure of the lungs. It is typically a progressive disease, and without treatment people only live for a few years after onset. With treatment, life is extended but often not much more. Isla came home on a continuous IV, oxygen, and too many medications to count. Medications caused pain or required regular blood draws, so Isla was poked and prodded a lot in her first year. With the diagnosis, hope of a normal life was stripped away."
2024 Update: Isla continues to thrive and grow and will be 11 years old by the time this year's Courage Classic kicks off! It has been many years since Isla was given a clean bill of health and is off all oxygen and medications. In 2021, Isla and I finally got the chance to roll through the finish line together at Copper Mountain!!! That is a moment I will NEVER forget! Now, we've able to roll through the finish line together TWICE!!
This will be the 11th year that I am priviledged to honor Isla and her parents and my 12th total Courage Classic. I continue to be deeply dedicated this Charity event. Isla is a miracle, that I got to witness (and still get to) with my very own eyes. I KNOW that your donations make a difference!!
With your support, the Heart Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado can continue to help, treat and CURE kids like Isla. Donate today!
Thank you!!! ~Abbey
