Imagine this: hundreds of amputees diving into the clear waters of Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids. But they're not alone. Swimming alongside them are their prosthetists, therapists, and clinicians from Mary Free Bed—not as caregivers, but as teammates and competitors. This remarkable scene unfolded at the Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon, an event that's completely rewriting the rules about what adaptive sports can achieve and how communities can come together.

In a world where healthcare relationships are often defined by clinical boundaries, this triathlon breaks down every barrier. It transforms the traditional patient-provider dynamic into something extraordinary: genuine partnership, mutual support, and shared triumph. What happens when the focus shifts from limitations to possibilities? The answer is creating ripples that extend far beyond the finish line.

The Event That Changes Everything

The Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon isn't your typical race. This innovative event features eight teams comprised of Mary Free Bed clinicians, therapists, and adaptive athletes who tag-team the swim, bike, and run portions of the race. Additionally, five individual solo competitors take on the full challenge independently, showcasing the incredible range of adaptive athletic ability.

What makes this format revolutionary is its collaborative approach. Rather than segregating adaptive athletes into separate categories, the event creates mixed teams where everyone's strengths contribute to the collective goal. A prosthetist might excel at the swimming portion, while their patient-turned-teammate dominates the cycling leg. This structure naturally highlights what each person brings to the table, rather than focusing on what they might lack.

The event represents a growing movement in adaptive sports—one that prioritizes inclusion and community building over traditional competitive hierarchies. By bringing together healthcare professionals and adaptive athletes as equals on the same team, the triathlon creates an environment where expertise flows in all directions.

Beyond Patient and Provider: When Healthcare Becomes Teamwork

"That's what races are about, is coming together. It doesn't matter if you're gonna PR, this is your first time, or this is your 10th or 100th time," explains Lyndzie Motcheck, an orthotist prosthetist at Mary Free Bed. Her words capture something profound about how this event transforms relationships.

In clinical settings, the dynamic between healthcare providers and patients follows established protocols and professional boundaries. But when both parties are gasping for breath after a challenging swim or cheering each other on during a grueling bike ride, something fundamental shifts. The expertise that matters most becomes resilience, determination, and mutual encouragement.

This transformation has far-reaching implications for healthcare delivery. When clinicians experience firsthand the challenges their patients face in athletic pursuits, they develop a deeper understanding of what's truly possible with adaptive equipment. They witness the mental and physical strength required to compete, leading to more nuanced and ambitious treatment goals back in the clinic.

The team-based format also allows healthcare providers to see their patients in an entirely new light. Instead of focusing on limitations or recovery milestones, they observe peak performance, strategic thinking, and leadership qualities that might never emerge in a medical setting.

The Ripple Effect: Expanding Adaptive Sports Reach

Mary Free Bed's vision extends far beyond a single triathlon. Their goal is to expand the reach of adaptive sports by bringing them to different communities, thus raising awareness and breaking down barriers to participation. This event serves as a powerful demonstration of what's possible when communities actively embrace adaptive athletics.

The visibility factor cannot be overstated. When hundreds of spectators line the shores of Reeds Lake to cheer on adaptive athletes, they witness capabilities rather than disabilities. Children see role models who happen to use prosthetics or adaptive equipment. Adults confront their own assumptions about what constitutes athletic achievement.

This increased visibility directly translates to expanded opportunities. Communities that host adaptive sports events often see increased demand for accessible facilities, adaptive equipment, and inclusive programming. Local gyms, pools, and cycling clubs begin to consider how they can better serve adaptive athletes year-round.

The economic impact also creates sustainable change. When communities invest in adaptive sports infrastructure and programming, they're not just supporting current participants—they're building a foundation for future generations of adaptive athletes who might otherwise never discover their potential.

What "Just Showing Up" Really Means

Motcheck's philosophy about community participation—"Just showing up for the community, not just the Mary Free Bed community, but the race community, and just doing your best"—reveals something deeper about the true value of inclusive athletic events.

"Showing up" in this context means more than physical presence. It represents a commitment to challenging preconceived notions about ability and disability. It means being willing to be vulnerable, to struggle publicly, and to celebrate collectively. For adaptive athletes, showing up demonstrates that they belong in competitive athletic spaces. For healthcare providers, it shows their willingness to step outside professional comfort zones.

This mindset shift has profound implications beyond sports. When communities normalize the presence of adaptive athletes in competitive settings, it becomes easier to imagine their full participation in all aspects of community life—from employment opportunities to social gatherings to leadership roles.

The "just showing up" philosophy also redefines success metrics. While traditional competitive events often focus solely on times, placements, and personal records, this approach values participation, effort, and community building equally. This doesn't diminish the competitive aspect—many participants are fierce competitors—but it expands the definition of what victory looks like.

Building Bridges: The Broader Impact

The success of events like the Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon creates a blueprint for community transformation that extends well beyond athletics. When local businesses, volunteers, and spectators rally around adaptive sports, they're investing in a more inclusive community culture.

The educational component is particularly powerful. Many spectators and volunteers had never interacted with adaptive athletes before this event. Watching someone excel at swimming with a prosthetic leg or seeing the sophisticated technology behind modern adaptive equipment opens minds and changes conversations. These personal interactions are far more effective than any awareness campaign or educational brochure.

Local media coverage of the event amplifies this impact exponentially. Stories and images from the triathlon reach thousands of people who couldn't attend, spreading awareness about adaptive sports capabilities and challenging stereotypes across a much broader audience.

The event also serves as a catalyst for policy discussions about accessibility and inclusion. Communities that successfully host adaptive sports events often become more attuned to barriers in their infrastructure, programming, and cultural attitudes. This heightened awareness can lead to improvements in everything from sidewalk accessibility to adaptive recreation programming.

A New Model for Community Inclusion

The Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon represents more than an innovative sporting event—it's a powerful demonstration of what becomes possible when communities move beyond traditional role definitions and embrace genuine partnership. When healthcare providers and adaptive athletes compete side by side, when expertise flows in all directions, and when showing up matters as much as finishing strong, everyone discovers new possibilities.

This model offers valuable lessons for any community seeking to become more inclusive. True integration happens not through separate programs or special accommodations, but through shared challenges, mutual support, and collective celebration. It requires moving beyond seeing adaptive athletes as inspirational objects and recognizing them as skilled competitors, valuable teammates, and essential community members.

The ripple effects of this approach extend far beyond the athletic arena. When communities embrace adaptive sports, they create environments where everyone's potential can flourish. They build infrastructure and attitudes that benefit not just current adaptive athletes, but future generations who might otherwise never discover their capabilities.

As communities across the country grapple with questions of inclusion and accessibility, events like this triathlon provide a roadmap. They show that the most profound changes happen not through policy mandates or awareness campaigns alone, but through shared experiences that reveal our common humanity and unlimited potential.

Get Involved

Ready to experience this community transformation firsthand? Consider attending next year's Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon or exploring adaptive sports opportunities in your own community. Visit Mary Free Bed's website to learn more about their adaptive sports programs, or contact your local recreation department to discuss bringing similar events to your area. For those looking to get started in triathlon, consider investing in quality swim goggles or cycling equipment to begin your own journey. The next barrier waiting to be broken might be right in your own backyard.