At first glance, Billy Lister seems like your typical athlete. After having brain surgery for arterial venous malformation as a teen, Lister's brain swelled, causing him to gradually become paralyzed on the left side of his body.
"One day I woke up and I couldn't type on a keyboard," he said. "The next day I woke up and I couldn't button my shirt. Eventually over those couple of weeks, I wasn't able to run any longer."
But after 12 years of intense physical therapy, Lister found the world of disabled sports. With the help of bike modifications and some sophisticated leg braces, Lister has been competing in paratriathlons for the past year.
"It was love at first sight," Lister said. "I was completely addicted to the sport as soon as I got into it. The level of endurance and testing your limits is something that I found incredibly interesting."
After Lister competes in the Aquaphor New York City triathlon on July 8, 2012, his next challenge is to complete a 620-mile bike ride from San Francisco to San Diego.
"The sky is the limit. I always say you have to shoot for the clouds to hit the sky," he said. "There is only one way to find out what you can't do and that's by trying everything to see what you can do."
Lister also hopes to create a paratriathlon program for disabled athletes.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:37 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:37:39 GMT
The cast of an Atlanta sports radio show has been fired after mocking a former NFL player who has Lou Gehrig's disease, a station official said Monday.
The cast of an Atlanta sports radio show has been fired after mocking a former NFL player who has Lou Gehrig's disease, a station official said Monday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:03 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:03:21 GMT
Police in Massachusetts investigating a possible homicide questioned New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Monday, according to a Sports Illustrated report.
Police in Massachusetts investigating a possible homicide questioned New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Monday, according to a Sports Illustrated report.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:05 AM EDT2013-06-18 14:05:52 GMT
They lost three times in three months in one of the most overpowering stretches the NBA has ever seen.Now the Miami Heat have lost three times in five games.
They lost three times in three months in one of the most overpowering stretches the NBA has ever seen.Now the Miami Heat have lost three times in five games.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:20:15 GMT
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:39 AM EDT2013-06-17 13:39:47 GMT
Jason Kidd has had one of the most impressive careers in basketball history. He's now adding another chapter to the story as the new head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Kidd visited the set of GDNY on Monday and spoke about his new role and what is was like hanging up his jersey for good.
Jason Kidd has had one of the most impressive careers in basketball history. He's now adding another chapter to the story as the new head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Kidd visited the set of GDNY on Monday and spoke about his new role and what is was like hanging up his jersey for good.
Sunday, June 16 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-06-17 03:08:43 GMT
Manu Ginobili had 24 points and 10 assists in a surprise start to spark the San Antonio Spurs to a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBAFinals on Sunday night, pushing the Spurs one victory away from their fifth championship.Danny Green scored 24 points and broke Ray Allen's finals record for 3s in a series with 25.
Manu Ginobili had 24 points and 10 assists in a surprise start to spark the San Antonio Spurs to a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBAFinals on Sunday night, pushing the Spurs one victory away from their fifth championship.Danny Green scored 24 points and broke Ray Allen's finals record for 3s in a series with 25.
Sunday, June 16 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-16 20:56:33 GMT
Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a three-run homer that capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning and the New York Mets salvaged what had been shaping up as another sorry afternoon, startling the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday.Matt Garza pitched seven scoreless innings and the Cubs scored twice on a madcap play that featured three bad throws by Mets infielders, giving Chicago a 3-0 lead.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a three-run homer that capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning and the New York Mets salvaged what had been shaping up as another sorry afternoon, startling the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday.Matt Garza pitched seven scoreless innings and the Cubs scored twice on a madcap play that featured three bad throws by Mets infielders, giving Chicago a 3-0 lead.
Sunday, June 16 2013 3:41 PM EDT2013-06-16 19:41:20 GMT
A published report by ESPN says the New York Rangers will hire Alain Vigneault as the club’s next head coach. Vigneault met with Madison Square Garden and team owner Jim Dolan on Friday after interviewing on Tuesday in La Quinta, California with president/general manager Glen Sather.
A published report by ESPN says the New York Rangers will hire Alain Vigneault as the club’s next head coach. Vigneault met with Madison Square Garden and team owner Jim Dolan on Friday after interviewing on Tuesday in La Quinta, California with president/general manager Glen Sather.
Saturday, June 15 2013 10:26 PM EDT2013-06-16 02:26:45 GMT
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira left New York's game against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning Saturday with an aggravated right wrist.Teixeira, who missed the first 53 games of the season with a wrist injury, will be examined by Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad in New York on Sunday.Teixeira flied out to right and fouled out to third before leaving Saturday's game when David Adams replaced him at first base.
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira left New York's game against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning Saturday with an aggravated right wrist.Teixeira, who missed the first 53 games of the season with a wrist injury, will be examined by Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad in New York on Sunday.Teixeira flied out to right and fouled out to third before leaving Saturday's game when David Adams replaced him at first base.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:13:21 GMT
A car crashed into a building on 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village on Wednesday morning. At least eight people were injured, three in serious condition, according to FDNY officials.
A car jumped the curb on 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village on Wednesday morning injuring eight people. Witnesses say the Nissan was traveling at a high speed before it took out the store front, trees, bicycles, a light post and a fire hydrant.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:30 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:30:41 GMT
Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling all Innova, California Natural, EVO, Healthwise, Mother Nature and Karma branded dry pet food and biscuit, bar, and treat products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014, because of a positive Salmonella test.
Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling all Innova, California Natural, EVO, Healthwise, Mother Nature and Karma branded dry pet food and biscuit, bar, and treat products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014, because of a positive Salmonella test.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:07:13 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush. Crews have been working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:12 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:12:52 GMT
A senior administration official says Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have struck a deal to authorize four upstate casinos and to allow votes on 10 separate women's rights bills including an abortion...
A senior administration official says Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have struck a deal to authorize four upstate casinos and to allow votes on 10 separate women's rights bills including an abortion proposal...
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:07:22 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
