FIU Alum an inspiration to students & athletes

Nicholas Olivera / Staff Writer
nicholas.olivera@fiusm.com

For FIU alum Holvin Baltodano, being an athlete while handicapped is no obstacle.

An avid soccer player, Baltodano was forced to put his athletic dreams on hold at a young age, after a severe car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Despite his frustrations, Baltodano was not going to put an end to his passion for sports. Instead, he opted to find a sport that catered to those bound to wheelchairs.

“I started playing basketball,” Holvin said. “But forget it. I sucked.”

Holvin eventually found his sport–handcycling. Rather than having to use his legs for support, the sport allowed him to use the force of his arms to power his “handcycle.”

The vehicle shares the concept of a bicycle; the only difference between the two is that a handcycle requires hand pedaling.

Handcycling has proven to be a sport where Holvin could prosper for the last fourteen years. He has competed in events like the Miami Marathon, a 13.1 mile half-marathon and a 26.2 full marathon.

He has also participated in the Homestead Speedway Freedom Ride, which is hosted by the Everglades Bicycle Club.

Unfortunately, handcycling is a costly sport.

“My handcycle now is about fourteen years old,” said Baltodano. “It’s a bicycle that normally goes for about four-thousand, five-thousand grand.”

He said that this is due to the carbon fiber used in his bike.

“The frame has a better aerodynamic style, plus the colors are very bright and the component makes it very expensive,” he said. Costs also include gloves, helmet, sunglasses and a suit.

His bike also needed some repairs and a different set of wheels composed of the pricey carbon fiber material.

To help cover costs that reached more than two-thousand dollars, Holvin said he knew he could count on his fellow Panthers when he decided to ask for donations at the Graham Center in October.

“I asked the FIU Community, because I was and I am still part of FIU, representing the staff and the students in bike events,” said Baltodano.

With a donation bucket on his lap, he said he would ask passersby if they had any change. His display table was decorated with trophies he earned from marathons, as well as pictures of him in action.

Baltodano’s efforts earned him a level of respect from the students who were willing to chip in a dollar or two for his cause. However, he said others would also give him a timid “no, thank you,” or no response at all.

“I don’t pay attention to [a negative] kind of attitude,” he said. “Otherwise, I would be frustrated all the time.”

Philip Koenig, a senior international relations major, admires the commitment Holvin has for the sport.

“I’ve been seeing him for a while and I appreciate the time he commits to it,” Koenig said.“I don’t usually give away money, but I  can appreciate what it is that he’s doing,” he said.

Baltodano said that he is grateful for the admiration and willingness of those who have donated to his cause. He said that he recognizes the good in those who can’t give as well.

“The good thing is that the FIU community, as well as the staff, is helping me very well,” said Baltodano. “I’m very happy about it.”