Monika Johnson
This November, ParaTriathlete and MSU alumnus Aaron Scheidies broke his own world record at the Ironman 70.3 world championship inClearwater, Florida with a time of 4:09:27-nine minutes faster than the record he set last year. His success is part of a larger story of dedication and perseverance- one that MSU RCPD patrons look to for inspiration.
In 1999, Scheidies competed in his first triathlon. In theeleven years since, what was initially a way to challenge himself has transformed into a national movement of individuals overcoming adversity,supporting a unique passion and conveying the importance of determination.Today, as a physical therapist, he integrates this standard into his motivationto help others achieve their full potential.
Scheidies was born with a hereditary eye condition which slowly deteriorates his central vision, now having approximately 10% of the visual ability of someone with full sight. "I had some rough years in high school with losing my vision; everyone in their teens is trying to find themselves," he said.
Throughout high school, he was on the swim team and excelled in endurance sports. His dreams of being a professional soccer player were inhibited by his eye condition-a realization that tested his determination.However, a change in attitude led to a desire to challenge himself to achieve his full potential. "Initially I thought, ‘Why me?' Later I started to look at it as ‘normal to me,'" he describes, "I never can say what caused the change from rock bottom to my attitude today, but I know that through hardship I learned resiliency-the little things don't bother me so much anymore."
Scheidies soon realized his maximum potential outran most and completed his first triathlon as a senior in high school. By mapping out the course prior to the race, using a guide during the running and biking sections, and following the sounds of other swimmers, he proved daunting competition for the fully sighted competitors. What could have a one-time competition turned into a lifestyle. "I'm all about breaking down barriers," he said.
Following his brother to MSU, largely because of MSU RCPD's reputation for high quality services, Scheidies pursued a degree in Kinesiology with goals of becoming a physical therapist. He continued competing in triathlons and even gained product sponsorships to finance his frequent competition. Though his individual success as a triathlete is 
remarkable, he says that his tenure as president of the MSU Triathlon Club, which grew drastically through his four years, is one of his proudest accomplishments.
Scheidies graduated in 2004 with a perfect 4.0 GPA, but his drive for success didn't stop there. He finished his doctorate in physical therapy at University of Washington in 2008 currently competes in 13-14triathlons per year. "I'm not the type of person who believes you have to have a 9-5 job," Scheidies states, though his physical therapy career aligns perfectly with his value of overcoming odds.
While in school, he "fell in love with the old people,"Scheidies said, and decided to pursue geriatric physical therapy in Seattle rather than the rehabilitation care career he had originally planned. "I'm impacting their lives more-it's helping someone walk versus correcting little injuries, and I feel they have more appreciation. My job is 80% being a motivator and 20%treatment," he said.
Scheidies cites four main ingredients for success in his life: a positive attitude, resilience, risk taking, and commitment. Operating on these principles, his C Different with Aaron Foundation, which started in2002, seeks to start a movement of people defying the odds. "I consider it a movement to educate society about people with disabilities. A way to break down barriers and dissolve stereotypes," he said.
Though he says his future goals are constantly evolving, Scheidies hopes to become achieve his longstanding goal of winning a Paralympic gold medal. He is working on his first book, and hopes to drop his Half IronMan time in order to break four hours. But one thing never changes, he said: "MSU is the greatest place on earth!"