DJ Rish to compete in sprint triathlon one year after his near fatal accident
It’s been nearly one year since DJ Rish was involved in a near fatal van accident in Greenville, S.C. while returning from a Boy Scout trip. He suffered second and third degree burns over 60% of his body, a vertebral and right hip fracture, and an amputated left leg. DJ spent five weeks at the burn center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta before being discharged four weeks ahead of schedule.
DJ returned home and immediately went to work relearning to walk using a walker and exercising at the pool at the Y in Irmo. He was fitted for his first prosthesis on Sept. 11, 2012, and has since learned to swim, bike and run using different prosthetic limbs. DJ is scheduled to compete in the Tom Hoskins Memorial Sprint Triathlon on July 27, 2013.
“DJ has regularly exceeded recovery expectations because of a spirit that pushes his limits. He does not focus on what he can’t do, but instead on what he can. He has inspired his whole family who are now all working out at the Y, including his dad who will compete in the Triathlon with him,” said Rhyno Coetsee, NorthWest Family YMCA board member and volunteer.
The Tom Hoskins Memorial Sprint Triathlon is held in memory of Tom Hoskins who was hit and killed during a charity bicylce ride in 2007. The race includes a 350-yard pool swim, 13-mile bike course through Irmo, S.C. and a 3.1 mile run. The triathlon begins at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 27 2013 at the NorthWest Family YMCA in Irmo.
