Chasin Information

Chasin' for Chalfin was established in the fall of 2010 in support of Jake Chalfin, a steeplechase jockey who was paralyzed in a fall on September 18th 2010 at the Blue Ridge Point to Point Races. Realizing the immediate financial ramifications of this tragedy, Jake's friends and family banded together to create a fundraising committee and a medical trust. While Jake does have standard insurance, his coverage falls severely short of the care needs for injuries as catastrophic and permanent as paralysis. Initial fundraising efforts financed the renovation of Jake's house to accommodate wheel chair access upon his return home. Later when Jake was released from the hospital, the trust funded several alternative therapy programs, along with the 24 hour personal care that was required for his condition. Two years later, as Jake has worked hard to adapt and rebuild his life and independence, he has reduced his personal care requirements down to just a few hours a day and has been in general good health. Jake is determined to continue to improve his independence and still needs your help in this pursuit. One of Jake's main focuses is strengthening and rebuilding his body. He knows that the stronger and healthier he becomes the more independent he will be. Jake dreams of a day when he will once again be completely self-sufficient. To this end Jake works out 3 days a week at Mitch's Market Street Gym in West Chester with his personal trainer, Doug Slabach and rides his handcycle on alternating days and seeks out other specialized methods of therapy. Jake still feels disconnected from nature and the great outdoors where his heart truly lives. Included in his health and fitness goals is finding new ways of getting back to nature through outdoor recreational sports. This winter Jake hopes to take on the new challenge of adaptive "sit-skiing. He also remains a huge supporter and fan of steeplechase racing and is becoming more involved in the stewards program of the National Steeplechase Association. Jake is also fortunate ...