Gold medalist Roni Sasaki confirmed as keynote for Charter Night, March 25, at Summit Grove Lodge

The Rotary Club of Three Creeks is proud to announce that it has confirmed inspirational speaker and US Paralympics gold medalist Roni Sasaki as the keynote speaker for the club's inaugural Charter Night, March 25, 2017 at Summit Grove Lodge in Ridgefield.

Tickets for the event are available now by clicking here.

Charter Night festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a social including entertainment by Nehemiah Brown, followed by a buffet dinner and a presentation by Rotary District dignitaries Tom Markos, Barb Crozier, Renee Campbell and Neal Brown.

Emceed by John McDonagh (President & CEO of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and President of the Rotary Club of Vancouver), the program will include a recognition of the first new Rotary Club in District 5100 since 2012, induction of the club's officers and board members, as well as Sasaki's keynote. A more specific agenda will be announced soon.

About Roni Sasaki
Roni Sasaki was born with only one leg. At her birth, the doctor who declared she was born with a birth defect also said she would probably never walk. She learned to walk on an artificial leg just before her second birthday. Walking was never one of her problems. Her greatest struggle as a youngster was learning to love and accept herself for being "different."

Roni harbored a secret desire to become an Olympic athlete, even though she realized it was a ridiculous dream for a disabled child. She attempted various sports and spent a lot of energy trying to prove that she could do anything anybody else could do. In spite of her efforts, she rarely measured up to the other kids.

During her senior year in high school, Roni received a phone call that altered her future and ultimately lead to the fulfillment of her secret dream. The woman’s voice on the other line said, “Would you like to learn how to ski?”

Sasaki went on to become a world-class disabled ski racer, skiing on only one ski. She placed and won numerous regional, national and international races during her ten-year racing career. Finally in 1992, at the Paralympics in Albertville, France, she won a gold medal and two bronze medals. Her secret dream was no longer a secret.

Roni challenges audiences of all ages to love themselves just the way they are. She encourages others to believe in themselves and embrace the unique characteristics that could ultimately become each person's greatness.

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