When the door opened more than 15 years after his accident, a relentless and determined Scott Rigsby arose and never looked back. On October 13, 2007, after enduring the elements for 16 hours and 43 minutes, Scott Rigsby became the first double amputee in the world to finish the Hawaiian Ironman triathlon with prosthetics at the 140.6-mile World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Rigsby used "swim legs" to navigate the difficult 2.4 mile ocean swim, "bike legs" to cycle 112 miles through the heat and gusting winds of the Big Island lava fields on a standard road bike, and "run legs" to complete the marathon segment in darkness and intense pain.
"Crossing the finish line at the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship was an amazing experience, but it was just a means to a much larger end."
He went on to write a book titled Unthinkable. The book is the true story of Scott's remarkable journey. After the devastating crash that claimed both of his legs, he battled with depression, alcohol, and prescription medications. But his dawning realization that God had a greater plan for his life led him to get himself together for a bigger purpose and to finish the Hawaaiian Ironman: a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile marathon that must be completed in 17 hours. You'll be amazed by Scott's courage, determination, and faith; and maybe be inspired to "do the unthinkable" in your own life.
Since then he has been working with his partners at The Scott Rigsby Foundation to accomplish the mission: to inspire, inform and enable physically challenged individuals with loss of limb or mobility, to live an active, healthy lifestyle.
It's not an easy task to accomplish, thus he's trying it again but this time with a much greater purpose. Scott will be participating in the 2011 Ironman World Championship triathlon via the Scott Rigsby Foundation to raise $50,000 to pay for Wounded Warrior programs and to provide grants to youth in dire need of prosthetic care.
"The dream I have, to change the lives of so many in need, cannot be accomplished alone. I am asking you to be part of this dream and help to raise $50,000 to pay for Wounded Warrior programs and to provide grants to youth in dire need of prosthetic care."
To help Scott simply visit this Donation link and choose the program you wish to support or to make a general donation. If you are in Kona for the race, make sure to cheer him on while out on the course.
"I thank you for your passion and shared vision. Let's "Do the Unthinkable" on October 8th!" - Scott Rigsby
You can learn more about Scott Rigsby at www.scottrigsby.com or wish him good luck on Facebook or Twitter. You can find his book Unthinkable at www.unthinkablethebook.com
About the Scott Rigsby Foundation:
The Scott Rigsby Foundation is a non-profit 501-(c)3 organization dedicated to inspire, inform and enable physically challenged individuals with loss of limb or mobility, to live an active lifestyle.
Our primary goal is to promote the health and fitness of physically challenged individuals by improving access to Prosthetic and Orthotic (P&O) care and resources, while supporting programs that advance prosthetic technology and empower individual lifestyle change. Through this process, we also hope to inspire thousands of able-bodied adults and youth to pursue better health and wellness as a means of preventing loss of limb and mobility.
We desire that our foundation helps to motivate individuals to set goals and cross their own personal finish lines.
We seek to challenge people to "Do the Unthinkable."
