Rachael Scdoris (21) is a professional sled dog racer from outside of Bend, Oregon. 
Rachael was born with Congenital Achromatopsia, a rare vision disorder causing near sightedness, far sightedness and colorblindness. As a young girl, Rachael made the decision not to allow her impaired vision to stand in the way of her dreams, and has been racing sled dogs since age 11.
In 2001, at age 15, Rachael generated national media attention by becoming the youngest athlete to ever finish a 500-mile sled dog race, when she completed the Pedigree International Stage Stop Race in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Since childhood, Rachael’s dream had always been to compete in the acclaimed Iditarod—the super bowl of sled dog racing. After a high profile public debate in 2003, the Iditarod Trail Committee made a landmark decision to unanimously approve Rachael’s request for special accommodations that would allow her and her dog team to compete safely in the Iditarod.
Rachael successfully qualified and went on to make history in 2005 as the first visually impaired athlete to compete in the Iditarod. But, despite successfully navigating the most treacherous sections of the Iditarod trail, Rachael’s race ended in disappointment. After reaching the Eagle Island checkpoint (732 miles into the 1,200 mile race), Rachael’s dog team showed signs of sickness, apparently having contracted a virus on the trail. After careful consideration, Rachael made the difficult decision to scratch based on the well being of her dogs.
Rachael’s story of hope, courage and determination has attracted tremendous national and international media attention, as well as thousands of messages of support from inspired people across the world. During her career, Rachael has been featured in numerous newspapers, magazines and national TV and Radio shows, including being recognized by Peter Jennings as ABC World News Tonight’s “Person of The Week.”
Rachael has also been formally honored by various organizations including the Women’s Sports Foundation, Oregon Commission for the Blind, The Goodwill Industries, The Foundation Fighting Blindness, National Association of Girls and Women in Sport and The Perkins School for the Blind. In 2002, Rachael was selected by the United States Olympic Committee to carry the torch to the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Rachael also enjoyed the privilege of serving as Grand Marshall of the 2005 Portland Rose Festival Starlight Parade.
In November 2005, Rachael was the proud recipient of the prestigious Casey Martin Award, created by Nike in 2001 to recognize the efforts of athletes who, like PGA Tour Golfer Martin, have overcome physical, mental, societal or cultural challenges to excel in their sport, and advocate on behalf of other athletes facing similar challenges. The award included a $25,000 Nike grant to the beneficiary of the award recipient’s choice, which Rachael donated to the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes.
On Saturday, March 18, 2006, Rachael realized her life long dream when she became the first legally blind athlete to finish the famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. After 12 days, 10 hours and 42 minutes on the trail, Rachael and her visual interpreter, Tim Osmar, passed beneath the wooden structure, known as the Burled Arch, that marks the finish line. The duo finished in 56th and 57th place, and Rachael finished 7th out of the 20 rookies who started the race.
In partnership with Standard Insurance Company, Rachael’s 2006 Iditarod campaign raised more than $100,000 in donations to the United States Association of Blind Association for programs supporting participation opportunities for other visually impaired athletes. In 2006, Rachael’s achievement was honored by her nomination for the ESPY award for Best Female Athlete with a Disability and by Glamour Magazine who honored Rachael as one of their Women of the Year as a star studded gala event at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 2008, Rachael was also nominated for the prestigious Congressional Media of Honor Society’s “Above and Beyond” Award.
Last updated: August 20, 2010 8:51 am EST
