Wins All Expense-Paid Trip to Run in CIGNA Falmouth Road Race

For the second consecutive year, the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race Challenge is honoring an inspiring individual for outstanding personal triumph over adversity. Nicholas (Nick) LaRaia of Oxford, N.C., is the winner of the national contest to recognize people who have overcome a life-altering, disabling injury or illness and who then set an example that both inspires and helps others.

In support of its mission to help improve the health, well-being and sense of security of individuals, CIGNA returns this year for the fourth time as the title sponsor of the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race. As the winner of the essay contest, Nick and a guest will receive an all-expense-paid trip to join the CIGNA Running Team in the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race on August 9 in Falmouth, Mass.

In November 2002, Nick was struck by a pickup truck during a routine bike ride. The accident severed his left leg at the knee. His recovery and the rehabilitation work that followed is a story of perseverance and success for Nick as well as for the people he treats as a physical therapist.

Despite the pain, Nick began exercising his leg as quickly as possible after the accident. Through his hard work and commitment, he was able to use a prosthetic leg and then return to work as a physical therapist four months after his injury. At about the same time, Nick went for his first on-road bike ride with his wife Dee by his side. Together they trained throughout that summer, culminating in a 150 mile bike ride as part of the Eastern North Carolina MS150 to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Nick tells his patients three things: You can always do more than you think you can, always be willing to accept help, and set real and tangible goals for yourself. “These were actions that were sometimes difficult for me to remember,” said LaRaia. “I don’t know what I would have done without the support of my wife and family. You always hear it, but now I really know that emotional nourishment is as important to healing as physical nourishment.”

“Nick is an inspiration to all of us -- he has overcome what most would consider an insurmountable obstacle to live life to the fullest and to contribute to his patients and his community,” said Dr. Dick Salmon, national medical director for CIGNA and a participant in the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race for most of the past 15 years.