Currently Resides: West Bath, ME
Birthplace: Plainfield, NJ

“I am dedicating this ride to the service men and women and their families who have sacrificed so much. I am also participating in this ride for my young son Collin. He has seen me lose the use of my legs, yet I want him to know that your dreams are always possible no matter the challenges along the way.”– Rory McCarthy

Rory McCarthy has always had a passion for sports. When, as a teen, he could no longer walk without crutches due to muscular atrophy, he assumed he would be relegated to the sidelines. However, his discovery of hand-cycling in 1980 gave Rory the means to pursue his athletic goals as well as generate awareness and opportunity for all athletes, regardless of physical differences. Since 1995, Rory has been a familiar face on World TEAM Sports (WTS) rides, covering more than 18 countries and helping unite athletes of varying nationalities and abilities.

As Rory’s muscular atrophy progressed, he switched from crutches to a wheelchair in March of 2007.  He had already been a team member of four WTS Face of America rides and Rory’s own new reality—wheelchair-bound for daily mobility—did not prevent him from continuing to participate.

Rory is co-founder of the non-profit organization Move With Freedom.  Combining his engineering background with his first-hand knowledge of the mobility obstacles facing the disabled, Rory designs adaptive equipment that opens up new possibilities and access for the user.

Rory’s wife, Katherine, and 10-year-old son, Collin, will join him along the way and cheer him on!

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