I participate in extreme sports with friends. I participate in Ironman, Spartan, Half Marathons and Marathons events. Chris Kemp aka Team Chris, Inc. was born on July 13, 1988. Just one day later, my lungs collapsed. Doctors told my mom that I hadn’t received enough oxygen to my brain and warned her of the severe, permanent damage. They advised that it would be in her best interest to remove the m
achines keeping me alive. My mom told them that if God was going to take her son’s breath away, He would do so whether I was connected to a machine or not. Until then, they were going to do everything they could to care for me. We were told that I would never have quality of life—that I would depend on feeding tubes and would never be able to function independently. But 11 days later, I came home… Without feeding tubes, monitors, or any medical devices. As I grew, signs of cerebral palsy began to appear. But I have never allowed it to define or limit me. While I face physical challenges, there are no limits to my determination, my spirit, or my intellect. I began participating in Special Olympics at a young age and continued throughout my school years. Today, I have gone far beyond those beginnings. I compete in Ironman races, Spartan events, marathons, half marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks. I have also taken on adaptive skiing, adaptive surfing, and whatever new challenge comes my way—with the support of friends, and even strangers who quickly become friends. Ironman competitions hold a special place in my heart. I am relentless in pursuing my dream of competing in as many as possible—and one day, reaching the Ironman World Championship. I don’t compete just for myself. I do it to show the world that limitations do not define a person. With the right adaptations and support, inclusion is possible for everyone. Spreading inclusion isn’t just something I believe in—it’s what drives me every single day.
