Rachael Scdoris, a local sled dog racer from Central Oregon, has her sights set on winning the Iditarod in Alaska this March. Last year, Rachael made national headlines as she blazed new trails persuading the old school Iditarod Trail Committee to allow for a variance so she could participate with the aid of a visual interpreter. Rachael is not only a super athlete; she is also legally blind. If not winning this year, at least Rachael will compete, until she, her team of dogs, and her visual interpreter cross that finish line. Last year, just before the final stretch, Rachael’s dogs got sick, and she had to pull out of the race. But she won’t be sidetracked for long, and she won’t quit until she achieves what she has dreamt about since she was a young teenager. The world of sled dog racing met its match when Rachael at the age of 13 decided her destiny was to defy all odds and be a world class sled dog racer.

Last summer, my mother/daughter book group, comprised of 5 mothers and our daughters who have known each other since kindergarten and are just turning 13 this year, had an incredible opportunity to visit with Rachael and her father while we were on our “literary” weekend in Central Oregon. We all loved Rachael’s inspirational book, aptly titled “No End in Sight,” which was written by Rachael with the help of publisher and family friend Rick Steber out of Prineville. The story is about her challenging life as a school girl and her ability to rise above the cruel treatment of her schoolmates and to succeed despite many obstacles that were put in her path.

After we read the book, I called Jerry Scdoris, Rachael’s father, who I knew from NWSCC activities in years past. Jerry runs the sled dog rides at Mt. Bachelor each winter, which is how Rachael became involved with dog sled racing. Jerry agreed to have Rachael talk to our book group of moms and girls, and my parents and friends, about her incredible tale of strength and courage. The most inspirational part of Rachael’s life story is that she never gave up. When she was a baby she was diagnosed with a rare eye disease, and has never been able to see clearly.  She has extremely limited vision, and cannot see details and depth. This makes her sled dog racing ability all the more amazing. The freedom she has enjoyed blazing the trails has kept her spirit alive. Rachael refuses to accept the stereotypical term of being “disabled” and continues to show just how able she is. Can you imagine your teenager spending nights camping out in the winter? Caring for multitudes of dogs as if they were her children?  How fortunate we all were to meet Rachael and have our young girls experience her undeniable faith that with hard work and positive attitude dreams can be achieved. The responsibility she has been taught by her parents, and the independence she has earned, is an incredible story for any young person with or without sight.

We were lucky to have caught her in between her sled dog conference back East and other commitments, as Rachael has become a celebrity. Peter Jennings selected her as an “person of the week” last year; she has had feature television shows and been on talk shows. We appreciated her sharing her experiences with all of us, as well as our informational discussion with her father.

In an effort to do something to help Rachael reach her goals, our group is planning to sew dog booties for her team. Although she does have much support for her racing, Rachael and her father do need help with another huge part of their sled dog racing. The World Cup Sled Dog Race, which they have worked so hard over the years to organize and promote in Central Oregon, may have to end. The “Atta Boy” dog food sponsors, who still support Rachael with feeding her dogs, have pulled out of the race sponsorship. Currently Jerry is trying to find a new sponsor, but it requires a large investment of time and money to organize the race and time is running out. We hope that Rachael and Jerry’s “No End in Sight” attitude will help to prevent the race from going by the wayside. Jerry Scdoris can be reached through his sled dog touring business, Oregon Trail of Dreams, through Mt. Bachelor or direct by email jscdoris@starband.net.

If you have a group who would enjoy having Rachael as a guest speaker, she can be booked by calling her agent, Paul Herschell at Sports Unlimited in Portland, or through her web site at www.rachaelscdoris.com. You can order an autographed copy of the original book, “No End in Sight,” at www.ricksteber.com. The book has also just been bought by a large publishing company and will be updated and sold at local bookstores in the future.  We wish Rachael all the best in future races, and look forward to hearing more of her successes!