Team Cody was formed in 2004 with the sentiment of raising funds for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) as a way to say "Thank You" for all they have done for our son. Since then it has transformed into so much more. Team Cody not only raises funds TSRHC, but also Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), one of Cody's sponsors. It is also a means of allowing others to assist Cody financially to train, travel and compete in various athletic events, and to act as an inspiration for others, such as our military professionals that have come back from Afghanistan and Iraq with amputations. Cody has been allowed the opportunity to meet with several of these servicemen, spending time with them and showing off his "unlimbited" abilities. He feels very privileged to share their time and hopes to continue to do this in the future.
Cody McCasland is 6 years old and a double through-the-knee amputee. He was born with a rare birth defect called Sacral Agenesis that caused his legs to form both missing tibias and knees. He has been receiving care at TSRHC since he was just two months old. After numerous consultations with Dr. Tony Herring, Cody's orthopedic surgeon and the chief of staff at TSRHC, we decided it was in Cody's best interest to amputate his legs through the knee to give him a chance at mobility. This surgery was completed when Cody was just 15 months old, and he received his first set of prostheses when he was almost 17 months old.
Over the past year Cody has continued to challenge himself physically. He wears either his walking prostheses, running legs or stubbies, depending upon the situation and activity. Cody again ran at the University of Central Oklahoma Endeavor Games and won two gold medals in the 60 m and 100 m races. He also ran in a 1 mile fun run this year to support Grapevine High School's dance team, the Fillies, and a two-mile fun run to support his school, Glen Hope Elementary. He is currently sponsored by the CAF and AT&T YellowPages for some of his races and training costs. Cody also played on a City of Colleyville Soccer Team ~ The Rockets this past year, but has decided that is not his passion. Cody continues to swim and is now on a competitive swim team ~ Texas RiverSharks. He swam his first races this year at the UCO Endeavor Games and won a gold medal in both the 25 m freestyle and backstroke for his class and age. He will be having more swim meets in the next few months with his swim team. Finally, Cody is playing sled hockey with the Dallas Sled Hawks.
Cody has been very expressive about his dreams of going to the Olympics. He would like to compete in the areas of running and swimming. He also hopes to one day run the full Dallas White Rock Marathon and to complete a triathlon. With the support of family, friends, TSRHC, Challenged Athletes and other sponsors, such as yourself, we hope to help him make these dreams a reality!
