Dodson Gives New Meaning to "Able-Bodied"
Irvine, Calif. (Sept. 15, 2005) -- Freedom Innovations Amputee Advocate Amy Dodson has once again set the precedent for challenged athletes with her recent triumph at the 5th Annual Ford New York City Triathlon held on July 10. Dodson took first place in the Physically Challenged Female division of the competition, posting an overall time of 2:51:45, an all-time triathlon best by seven minutes for Dodson.

The event was comprised of a 1500 meter swim in the Hudson River, a 25 mile bike trek from Manhattan through the Bronx and Yonkers and back to Central Park in Manhattan, and finally a 10 K Run in Central Park. According to Dodson, who lost her left leg and lower lobe of her left lung to cancer in 1983, "This was one of the most challenging triathlons I've done. The Hudson is a very large river, which is intimidating and the current is pretty strong. The bike ride is very hilly, especially when it hits the Northern end of NYC, and the race is also hilly on the run through Central Park. To make matters worse, the weather was very hot and humid, which is very physically draining."

Dodson attributes much of her ability to participate in these types of grueling events to having the best products available for athletic, active amputees such as herself. For running she uses the Freedom Innovations Sprinter Foot, and for biking and everyday activities she wears the Freedom renegade(R). Amazingly, Dodson has come to a point in her athletic career where she feels that her level of competition is practically the same as able-bodied athletes, and credits this "non- challenged" attitude to Freedom and the feet they have designed for amputees like her. "Because of Freedom I have absolutely no limitations. It is amazing what the team at Freedom is able to make. They change people's lives and care about hearing what we [the amputees] have to say. Freedom wants to know how we are really doing - I feel so lucky to be a part of the family there."

In addition to using incomparable products for training and competing, Dodson's continued marathon and triathlon successes are undoubtedly due to an unbelievable physical training regimen. Her routine consists of weight lifting, personal training, 7-10 mile runs, 1.5 hour swims, and two-four hours of biking five days a week. Additionally Dodson follows a strict organic, multi-grain, high-protein, low-fat diet and drinks lots of fluids. "I average 60-70 miles running, 200-300 miles biking and 10 miles of swimming a week," Amy said.

The NYC Triathlon was also noteworthy for Dodson because it was a part of the Paralympics Development Team's quest to be included in the Beijing Paralympics. Dodson has been involved with the team for the past two years and is one of 12 athletes who compete in triathlons nation wide striving for that goal. "This Triathlon was important to me because it was a World Cup and Paralympic Development Team event, as well as a great opportunity for disabled athletes at large."

Dodson also adds that being involved in events like these are essential for those facing physical challenges, as they are strong reminders that you can do anything you set your mind to and the "able-bodied" athletes treat everyone as an equal. "The support from the crowd and other athletes was unbelievable. The triathlete community is so welcoming and encouraging. In fact, there was a woman that said thanks for the 'spar,' and she was able-bodied! This was a great interaction because it shows that athletes see 'us' as regular athletes and competent rivals."

Dodson continues to push herself, preparing for several upcoming triathlons including the Chicago Triathlon on Aug. 27, the Ironman Florida in Panama City on Nov. 5, and the World Championships in Honolulu on Dec. 11. "My goals for upcoming competitions are to always get a better time than the last race."

Dodson, 42, began distance running in 1995, 15 years after losing her leg. In 1999 she began running marathons, and in 2003 began competing in triathlons, capturing the gold medal in the 5000 meter at the 1999 DSUSA National Games. Prior to NYC, Dodson most recently won first place in the Silver Strand Half Marathon in San Diego. She stands as four-time winner of the National Half Marathon Championship, and took first place in her division in the 2004 Accenture Chicago Triathlon. Having completed ten marathons to date, Amy set the world record in 2002 at the St. George, Utah, Marathon, outpacing the former record set by Lindsay Nielsen in 1999 by more than 24 minutes. Amy also took the gold in her division in the 2003 ITU World Championship Olympic Distance Triathlon held in New Zealand.

Amy resides with her husband in Adrian, MI, and joined Freedom Innovations in 2004 as part of its Amputee Advocate program. Amy also works as a fifth grade elementary school teacher in Adrian.

Dodson's current statistics:

5k: 22:18

Half-marathon: 1:51:06

Marathon: 3:53:21

Olympic Distance Triathlon: 2:51:45

About Freedom Innovations:

Freedom Innovations markets advanced technology prostheses to provide amputees with prosthetic solutions that create "a revolution in motion and freedom of activity." Based in Irvine, CA, the Freedom and Revolution Series of lower-limb prostheses are distributed throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. The Evolution SP Liners are distributed throughout North America. More information is available by calling toll-free (888) 818-6777 or (949) 672-0032, or by visiting the Web site at www.freedom-innovations.com.