‘Achieve With Us’ Announces Winner

Tyler Smothers of Cedar Rapids, IA

ABILITY Magazine recently co-sponsored The Arc’s “Achieve With Us” Contest, where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were invited to share their stories of achievement in an online contest. More than 25,000 votes were tallied for 119 contestants, narrowing the field to 10 top finalists.

Tyler Smothers of Cedar Rapids, IA, turned out to be the top vote-getter. He won the Grand Prize of a trip for two to Washington D.C., to share his story of achievement with The Arc’s National Office, and an opportunity to talk with his congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. Smothers also wins a one-year subscription to ABILITY Magazine, and will have his story published in an upcoming issue.

Smothers is the force behind an annual bike riding fundraiser for The Arc of East Central Iowa. He was motivated to raise money to help his community after historic floods in 2008; his annual ride is a celebrated event, which has raised more than $35,000. Using an adaptive bike, Smothers, who was born with a rare birth defect, Arnold-Chiari Malformation II, leads the ride.

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