Racing's Riley Raynard has been tackling tough challenges throughout his life. The 20-year-old stock car driver from Lampman has stepped up his public speaking career of late in an effort to educate people about Duchenne muscular dystrophy (a disease Raynard was diagnosed with at age four) and to encourage his audiences to overcome barriers in their own lives and to pursue their dreams.
Raynard's mother Wendy explains Duchenne MD as “a disease that causes the muscles in your body to get weaker and weaker and eventually stop working, including the heart and the lungs. People with this disease have bodies that don't produce enough dystrophin, which is kind of like the glue that holds things together.”
“Riley was born with it. It's not contagious; it's genetic. And I, as his mom, am the carrier, and only boys get it.”
“Riley was born in 1997 and walked and talked at a normal age,” explains Wendy. “In 2001, at the age of four, he was diagnosed with MD. But he played baseball and soccer and was involved with Cub Scouts. The effects were gradual, and Riley walked as long as he could - and he ended up walking on his tiptoes.”
“That's what the disease does - but at age 14, he started using a wheelchair,” she says. “But despite this challenge, Riley was determined not to let this disease slow him down...and not much slows him down. He continually surprises me with his strength.”
“He's so determined and stubborn.”
“I think my presentation makes an impact,” says Riley. “And to me, that's all that matters. Whether they're there to learn because of racing or to learn more about Duchenne MD, I find that the kids I talk to really are interested and I hope it encourages them.”
Raynard recently spoke to students at Midale School and schools in Estevan. And for the past two years, has also appeared on television as part of the Estevan United Way's telethon coverage.
“My first time public speaking was at Arcola School in 2015,” says Raynard. “They asked me to come a year earlier, but I wasn't ready and I wasn't sure if I wanted to do public speaking. But it went really well and I'm really glad I did it. I spoke to kids from kindergarten to grade 12 and it helped people understand what (Duchenne muscular dystrophy) is.”
“After this year's United Way interview in Estevan, people told me I was good at public speaking and a few people were even in tears. Later, I talked to the radio station there,” he says.“And I'm happy to do it, because it helps raise money for research into muscular dystrophy and hopefully, will also motivate people in a positive way to do things in their own lives.”
Raynard continues to surmount challenges and exceed expectations. He started driving hobby stock cars at age 14, won the first of many trophies at 16 and was awarded Speedway Illustrated magazine's Ken Schrader Real Racer Award in Indianapolis. At the IMCA Super Nationals in 2015, he competed against 700 other drivers and won a feature race, a rarity for a first-time racer at the competition.
This year, he continued to compete, and added some new venues to his regular roster.
“This year, we went down to Hays, Kansas for the Hays Fall Nationals the first week of October,” says Raynard. “ Forty-six cars competed and 24 made the feature (race). I won my heat and then I won my qualifier and got 10th in the feature.”
“It was my first time there. There were drivers competing from all over North America. I was actually the only Canadian there, so that was pretty cool.”
“I went to some other new tracks this year, too,” says Raynard. “Basically, I earned 10 heat race wins and four feature wins. I competed in Swift Current and won two features there. I raced in the 'Tougher Than Dirt Tour', which is five races in five days - in Estevan, Minot, Williston and at the McLean County Speedway. I won in Estevan as part of the 'Tougher Than Dirt Tour' on Canada Day.”
Raynard says the process of public speaking for him is starting to resemble racing, adding that his most recent presentation in Midale “was pretty sweet. I'm getting used to this.”
“The kids had so many questions that I had to cut it short. They had a lot of questions about racing and I did some wheelchair tricks for them and autographed the racing cards I bring with me.”
“I used to get more nervous, but now public speaking just comes naturally for me. I really enjoy motivating people, and I do that through my speaking and my racing.”
“I want to show people what's possible.”
To contact Raynard regarding a presentation, call or text (306)- 461-4252.
