Phaedra Cote

There is no bond stronger than the one that exists between a mother and her child. But the bond between EWU scholarship recipients and their donors is a close second. Phaedra Cote‘s story is proof of both.

A young mother holds her critically ill son in her arms, willing him to pull through once again. Since his birth in 1998, his small body has already endured numerous life-saving surgeries. Mother and son have spent most of his first five years in the hospital.

Without warning, the little boy suffers from respiratory arrest. Health-care professionals descend upon him with skill, machines and humanitarian care. He is saved again but will spend weeks in the pediatric intensive care unit.

His health gradually improved. By 2006, the 8-year-old and his little brother were in school. Their mother, Phaedra Cote, had never been able to leave her firstborn’s side to go to college or work, but with the boys in school, she finally had time to explore her new interest in triathlon sports.

“The challenges I faced with my son taught me a lot about my deeply rooted inner strength, which I found translated well into the sport of triathlon,” she said. “I started training in February 2006, did my first half-Ironman six months later, and placed so well that I qualified for the World Championships.”

Timex offered her one of 50 worldwide positions on its Multisport Team. She raced for three years on the team, trained while her children were in school and traveled the country. “I even crossed some finish lines with my boys’ little hands in mine,” Phaedra said.

In 2009, Phaedra and her husband divorced. She was a single mom with no college education or financial security.

Phaedra reflected on her years of experience in hospitals with her son. “That difficult time shaped me, not only as a mother, but as a person, and I learned that I did very well in the health-care environment,” Phaedra said.

Phaedra’s father cosigned a car loan for her, and she began her quest for an education and career in health care. She enrolled in community college, later transferred to Eastern, and secured a dental assistant job in a pediatric setting. It solidified her confidence to choose dental hygiene as a major and future career.

Phaedra’s busy life with her children (now 15 and 11), classes and job leave no time or money for triathlons. Her 15-year-old’s severe food allergies create expensive grocery bills. She had to sell her beloved bike and triathlon gear. “That’s just how important my education is to me,” Phaedra said. “I have made every sacrifice possible to fund my education and support my children; even so, it would be impossible to pay for Dental Hygiene School if it weren’t for generous donors who have supported my scholarship.”

In her minimal spare time, Phaedra has conducted children’s free triathlon clinics and a triathlon with 115 participants. She also has coached women athletes.

“I love sharing my passion for health and fitness,” Phaedra said. “It’s something I can offer to the community.”

Phaedra talks with her sons about hard work and sharing. “I tell them I am proud and honored to be a scholarship recipient,” she said. “Donors live outside themselves and go beyond what is required of them as human beings. Contributing to scholarships is such a selfless gesture.

“There are lessons in this for my boys: When you believe in yourself and work really hard, you get results that have a positive impact on your own life, and you inspire others to do the same. Additionally, you can be recognized for your hard work. I explained to them that my scholarship recognizes the sacrifices we have made as a family for me to be in school, and the fact that I’ve performed well in my courses shows donors that school is a big priority for me.”