Home

Finding Her Stride

[img src=http://joshradtke.com/wp-content/flagallery/finding-her-stride/thumbs/thumbs_00ss_findingherstride.jpg]
While surviving cancer and the foster care system, kinesiology senior McKayla Hanson has always found a way to beat the odds. Now training for an Ironman Triathlon, her sights are set on qualifying for the Paralympic Games.[img src=http://joshradtke.com/wp-content/flagallery/finding-her-stride/thumbs/thumbs_01ss_findingherstride.jpg]
Kinesiology senior McKayla Hanson counts with her brothers, Deebo, 8, and Jackson, 7, while they play hide and go seek with some of their other siblings in the backyard of the family home in Davison. Along with her sister, Hanson was adopted into what has become a large, loving family of previous foster children.[img src=http://joshradtke.com/wp-content/flagallery/finding-her-stride/thumbs/thumbs_02ss_findingherstride.jpg]
Kinesiology senior McKayla Hanson looks back to her brother Jacob, 13, who was behind her riding on her other hand cycle. Hanson was getting in a last minute ride her family's home in Davison. She left for California the following week heading towards California for her Ironman Triathlon.[img src=http://joshradtke.com/wp-content/flagallery/finding-her-stride/thumbs/thumbs_03ss_findingherstride.jpg]
Kinesiology senior McKayla sits with one of her sisters, Anna Lisa, 5, during dinner. She often comes home on the weekends to spend time with her supportive family.[img src=http://joshradtke.com/wp-content/flagallery/finding-her-stride/thumbs/thumbs_04ss_findingherstride.jpg]
Kinesiology senior McKayla Hanson waits for her brother Jacob 13 to bring up the other hand-cycle into the driveway after the two finished an afternoon ride near her family's home in Davison, Mich. Due to her high amputation Hanson rides the special type of bike during the running and bicycle portions of the triathlon. She travels to California in October to compete in a half Ironman Triathlon, a stepping stone to the Paralympic games where she is determined to one day be a competitor.[img src=http://joshradtke.com/wp-content/flagallery/finding-her-stride/thumbs/thumbs_05ss_findingherstride.jpg]
Kinesiology senior McKayla Hanson walks the track on April 15, 2011 at the Relay for Life of MSU. After surviving cancer at a young age, Hanson has made her journey a public example of how to overcome the disease.[img src=http://joshradtke.com/wp-content/flagallery/finding-her-stride/thumbs/thumbs_06ss_findingherstride.jpg]
Kinesiology senior McKayla Hanson does a handstand while some of her siblings watch in the backyard of their family home in Davison. Hanson's family has been extremely supportive over the years and wants her to fulfill her goal of reaching the Paralympic Games.[img src=http://joshradtke.com/wp-content/flagallery/finding-her-stride/thumbs/thumbs_07ss_findingherstride.jpg]
Kinesiology senior McKayla Hanson sits with her nephew Isaiah Gatica, 5, at her family's home in Davison. McKayla is one of 15 Hanson children who were adopted over the years. She often returns home from school to visit them.