Cedar Rapids man does his part for the disabled

Tyler Smothers, the Cedar Rapids resident who pedalled around Cedar Lake last year to support the Arc of East Central Iowa's flood recovery, is at it again.

Smothers, 25, born with a rare form of spina bifida, will ride his adaptive trike three laps around the lake Sept. 20, collecting pledges for the agency, which supports those with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Last year, Smothers raised more than $18,000 toward repairs at the Arc's regional office at 680 Second St. SE, which sustained more than $800,000 damage. The effort, dubbed Tour de Flood, won Smothers local and state advocacy and volunteer awards.

“I wanted to show people that I can do something to help,” said Smothers, with his family and Arc member for more than 20 years. “With a little hard work we can all make a difference.”

A fan of cyclist Lance Armstrong, Smothers dubbed this year's ride “Tour de Flood II: ARCSTRONG.”

For more information and to pledge a donation, visit the Arc's Web site, www.arceci.org.