Camas champion runs right past foot ailment

Camas — Ever heard of “foot drop?” Darren Smith of Camas lives with it. There can be many causes — form Multiple Sclerosis to spinal injury — but the result is a paralysis of one or both feet. Now Smith has joined a handful of folks around the nation to form TeamUP, a group of athletes who are continuing to pursue their dreams with the help of carbon-fiber orthotic devices made by Allard USA. TeamUP was inaugurated at an April 6 half-marathon in Greensboro, N.C.; throughout 2013, the members of TeamUP will be attending other events to inspire people with foot drop. Smith has taken first place in many paratriathalons. “You never know what you can do, whether it’s a sport or simply walking to the mailbox, unless you try,” he said.