My name is Branden Walton and I am attempting to qualify for a spot on the 2016 National Paralympic Track and Field Team and potentially attend the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.  To accomplish these goals I have participate in qualifying events this spring.  The first of the events is the Desert Challenge in Tempe, Arizona this May; I finished 1st in 400 and 800 meter race and 2nd inth 1500 and brough home 2 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal.  I participated in the 2015 US Paralympic National Championships in St. Paul, MN in June. I came home with 1 Gold Medal in the 800 Meter and Silver Medals in the 400 and 1500 Meter distances.  I have competed in the National Junior Disablity Championships in Union County, New Jersey.  I not compaeted in 5 events I was able to set US National Youth Records in each of the Disatances - 100, 200, 400 , 800 and 1500 Meters. This Summer in Prepartion for the Paralympc Trials next year I have won 8 Gold Medals and 3 Silver Medals and have broke 5 US National Junior Records in the 100,200,400,800 ad 1500 meter distances.

      I was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration in both of my eyes when I was only 4 years old.  My vision is 20/200 in both of my eyes.  My disability has not held me back.  I have attended school in Windsor since Pre School.  Although, I have an IEP that helps me get some of my school work enlarged and I use an iPad to assist me, I attend normal classes.  I am currently a Junior at Windsor High School.

     I have enjoyed running since I was in 5th grade.  When I attended Windsor Middle School I was the first 6th grade athlete to ever participate in the Track Program.  To this day, I still hold a school record in the 1.5 mile distance.  No student before or after me has ever run this distance under 8 Minutes.  In 2011, the summer before my freshman year, I became a member of the United States Association of Blind Athletes, and participated in the IBAS World Youth Champions Ships and came home with 2 Golds and 1Silver.  As a freshman at Windsor High School I made the Varsity Cross Country Team and the Varsity Distance team.  Now I am one of the Captains of both teams.  I am currently a member of the USABA, USATF, AAU and licensed by the International Paralympic Committee.  In International Competition I compete in the Vision Class T13, this means that my vision is between 20/200 and 20/400 and I do not need a guide runner.

    Due to my age and disability, I do not travel be myself and I am seeking assistance in funding these expenses for these events.  Each of my qualifying events requires me to be out of the state for 3 to 5 days.   I have reached out to the USABA, USATF and to the US Olympic Committee seeking funding also.  I would be grateful for anything that could be donated to assist me in my pursuit.

Branden Walton