About Addie Ray Racing:

The Story of Addie Ray Racing

Addie Ray Racing began with a little girl named Addie and a belief that every child and adult with disabilities deserves the chance to experience joy, freedom, and accomplishment—no matter their limitations.

At just 17 months old, Addie was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Angelman Syndrome . The diagnosis came with a long list of challenges: Addie would be nonverbal for the rest of her life, face severe developmental delays, experience seizure disorders, scoliosis, and navigate many other complex health issues. Like so many families receiving a life-altering diagnosis, her parents, Chris and Michelle , were told countless versions of “your child will never,” “your child cannot,” and “your child will not.”

But Angelman syndrome also comes with something beautiful. Children with Angelman syndrome are known for their love of movement, their joy, and their strong sensory-seeking nature. Addie was no different—she thrived on motion and excitement.

That love of movement led Michelle to a 5K race in Dalton, Georgia, where an Atlanta-based company offered adaptive strollers for athletes with disabilities. Addie was pushed in her very first race—and she absolutely loved it. The smiles, the laughter, the wind in her face—it was clear that racing gave Addie a sense of joy and freedom like nothing else.

Seeing how much that experience meant to her, Chris and Michelle knew this wasn’t just a one-time event. With the help of a GoFundMe campaign, they were able to purchase Addie her very own Hoyt racing chair in 2018. What started as local foot races soon grew into something more.
Because of Addie’s deep love for water—another trait commonly seen in children with Angelman syndrome—the family naturally expanded into triathlon racing. Swim, bike, run…Addie embraced it all.

As Addie’s racing journey grew, so did an important realization: If racing could bring this much joy and empowerment to Addie, it could do the same for other children and adults with disabilities.

That realization became the foundation of Addie Ray Racing.

Addie Ray Racing was created to give differently-abled children and adults the opportunity to do the very things they were told they never could—to feel strong, included, and celebrated. Through partnerships with able-bodied athletes, we make it possible for racers of all abilities to experience the thrill of crossing finish lines, no matter the size of the obstacle.

Over the years, we have supported athletes with a wide range of disabilities. One thing has always remained true: we find a way. To date, we have never turned anyone away from racing because of their diagnosis.

Addie Ray Racing is more than a racing team—it’s a movement rooted in inclusion, perseverance, and belief. It’s about rewriting expectations, changing narratives, and proving that limits do not define potential.

Because everyone deserves the chance to race.