Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Lori Miller of Warsaw is not one to say "can't."
Miller, 24 and blind since the age of 2 due to Retinoblastoma, has had to fight recurring incidences of cancer. But through it all, she's maintained a sense of humor, an optimistic outlook - and a keen desire for competition.
To satisfy the latter, Miller has turned to the world of tandem-cycling. She and her teammate, Charlie Heggem, placed seventh in the International Paralympics last September. The two have even loftier goals this year.
Miller and Heggem recently placed fourth in the Sea Otter Classic, an "able-bodied" event hosted by Monterey, Calif.
"The competition is getting much tougher, so we're pretty pleased with the finish," Miller said.
Miller and Heggem won't be resting on those laurels, however. The two have a busy summer of competition planned. They are scheduled to compete in a track event in Houston, Texas, Saturday; the Colorado Invitational, June 25 in Colorado Springs; another competition in Eugene, Ore., July 2-5; followed by the U.S. Road Nationals in Fort Smith, July 7-11. Then, it's off to Blois, France, for the European Championships, July 18-25.
"I'm also working on a project with World Team Sports for a ride from Washington, D.C., to Pittsburgh to open a 'Rails-To-Trails' project June 18-23," Miller said.
The only thing that can hold her back, it appears, is finding the funding for the travel. United Airlines recently turned down a sponsorship request to provide the air travel.
"I'll find a way to get there," Miller said.
Of all the competitions she's involved in, she most enjoys the mountain course, she added.
"I really want to get some more mountain bike rides in, because I really love that," Miller said.
