solarius49
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A triathlon can be an arduous task for one person, but when Michigan dad Rick Van Beek competes, he doesn’t do it alone.
Crossing the finish line during a Sanford, Mich., race on Saturday, he cradled his daughter in his arms. He couldn’t have imagined doing it without her.
That’s because Van Beek, 39, enters almost every triathalon or race with his 13-year-old, Maddy, who was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy after she was born. The duo has reached a milestone, competing in more than 75 events since 2008, Van Beek told the Daily News on Tuesday.
The Allegan County News Rick Van Beek via Facebook Van Beek uses a kayak to bring Maddy along during the swimming leg.
In all of those contests, it wasn’t about where they came in or how fast they finished. They are simply Team Maddy.
“I’ve never been disappointed crossing the finish line,” Van Beek said, “because I’m doing it with my daughter.”
During the swimming portion of the triathalon, Van Beek tows Maddy in a kayak. He then scoops up his girl, who weighs about 80 pounds, and carries her to the biking leg, where he hitches up a special cart that he built for Maddy to ride in.
Rick Van Beek via Facebook Van Beek built the cart he transports Maddy in during the bike leg.
Finally, during the run portion, Van Beek pushes a stroller as they stride toward the finish line.
“She’s very docile, she doesn’t move around a lot,” Van Beek, of Byron Center, said.
Maddy functions as if she were a 3-month-old, he added. She doesn’t talk or walk, and is also blind.
Rick Van Beek via Facebook ‘She’s very docile, she doesn’t move around a lot,’ Van Beek said.
Her physical disabilities aside, the girl is full of expression, giving sideways smiles to her father and bursting out in a joyful laugh.
“If she’s not having fun, we stop,” said Van Beek, adding that he’s pulled her out of races when she wasn’t feeling well or the weather was too hot.
Van Beek tries not to strain himself during races.
Rick Van Beek via Facebook Rick Van Beek and his daughter Maddy share their triathlete adventures on Beek's social media page.
“The hardest part for me is the transition from the swim to the bike because I carry her,” he said. “She has a fused spine, so it’s like carrying a board.”
RESPECT
Crossing the finish line during a Sanford, Mich., race on Saturday, he cradled his daughter in his arms. He couldn’t have imagined doing it without her.
That’s because Van Beek, 39, enters almost every triathalon or race with his 13-year-old, Maddy, who was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy after she was born. The duo has reached a milestone, competing in more than 75 events since 2008, Van Beek told the Daily News on Tuesday.
The Allegan County News Rick Van Beek via Facebook Van Beek uses a kayak to bring Maddy along during the swimming leg.
In all of those contests, it wasn’t about where they came in or how fast they finished. They are simply Team Maddy.
“I’ve never been disappointed crossing the finish line,” Van Beek said, “because I’m doing it with my daughter.”
During the swimming portion of the triathalon, Van Beek tows Maddy in a kayak. He then scoops up his girl, who weighs about 80 pounds, and carries her to the biking leg, where he hitches up a special cart that he built for Maddy to ride in.
Rick Van Beek via Facebook Van Beek built the cart he transports Maddy in during the bike leg.
Finally, during the run portion, Van Beek pushes a stroller as they stride toward the finish line.
“She’s very docile, she doesn’t move around a lot,” Van Beek, of Byron Center, said.
Maddy functions as if she were a 3-month-old, he added. She doesn’t talk or walk, and is also blind.
Rick Van Beek via Facebook ‘She’s very docile, she doesn’t move around a lot,’ Van Beek said.
Her physical disabilities aside, the girl is full of expression, giving sideways smiles to her father and bursting out in a joyful laugh.
“If she’s not having fun, we stop,” said Van Beek, adding that he’s pulled her out of races when she wasn’t feeling well or the weather was too hot.
Van Beek tries not to strain himself during races.
Rick Van Beek via Facebook Rick Van Beek and his daughter Maddy share their triathlete adventures on Beek's social media page.
“The hardest part for me is the transition from the swim to the bike because I carry her,” he said. “She has a fused spine, so it’s like carrying a board.”
RESPECT
