Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans puts heart, soul into ride

Editors note: Throughout the season, we will publish photo essays of charities within Florida that benefit from events held on the island.

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On a cool Sunday in October, the sun slowly pushed shadows off the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Hundreds of people have gathered to support a group of athletes who have marked a major accomplishment just by reaching the start line: members of the Achilles Internationals Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans.

They are preparing for the Freedom Ride, an event sponsored by the Everglades Bike Club to honor and raise money for the team.

For more than 30 years, the nonprofit Achilles International has been helping disabled athletes to participate in sports. Today, the organization works in more than 65 locations worldwide to improve team members strength and confidence through athletic accomplishment.

Jacqui Kapinowski, a Palm Beach County resident in attendance, was an elite marathon runner before a progressive neurological disease took her ability to walk. Now she is a top national triathlete with Achilles who also works with the organizations South Florida chapter.

Ten 10 years ago, Kapinowski met Achilles Freedom Team founder Mary Bryant McCourt, who inspired her to do what she can to help others. That includes improving the quality of life of team members through training.

A wheelchair does not define who you are as a person, you are who you are from your heart and your soul, Kapinowski says. We just have to do it a little bit different.

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Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans puts heart, soul into ride