I get up during the week at 4:40am, bundle up and head out to meet my training partners for a run – I have to get it in early because my day starts the minute I walk in the door from my early run. I walk into autistic tantrums, screaming about going to school, grunting about how his clothes fit, crying that he can’t play the iPad all day, fits that his sister doesn’t have to go to school yet, yelling about getting into the car to go to school…this is how autism has affected my son Kyan, and our family. I NEED the run, I PRAY for the run, I am a better Mom because of the run!
Training for a marathon, let alone the Boston Marathon is hard-it takes dedication, it takes determination, it takes a tenacious personality. However, nothing can compare to the training as a mother who is raising an autistic child.
I look forward to training everyday, it helps me mentally train for my every day with my son. The training is difficult, it’s a lot of miles, but every mile for me has a purpose. I love the run, I love my son – they both take incredible strength and training to endure the distance!
It has always been a dream of mine to run the Boston Marathon and qualifying for it was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. The qualifying race was the hardest race of my life…but I DID IT! I have the honor of running for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism so they can continue to support families just like mine who truly need help raising an Autistic child. I am running for Kyan – I am running to show him that I am in it for the long, hard road. I am in it for the marathon, in fact I am running a marathon all for him, every mile is his! I am dedicating my life to helping him in his own marathon of struggles and we will make progress.
I will push on towards that finish line without fail, because I’m not doing this just for me. My shoes are full of determination and loaded with the strength and hearts of every autistic child. I move miles because my son can’t, I chase a dream to show my son you can do anything you put your heart and mind to, I run to encourage others to move for a purpose and to love the run!
For more information on how to help me meet my goal of $7,500 (I am almost there!), please visit my Dougie’s Team page: http://2016dougiesteam.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1150053&lis=1&kntae1150053=2A9C9E3232FD434A878F21F7C3CA88E6&supId=428350360&emaillogid=
Thank you so much for your support!
ABOUT DOUGIES TEAM: The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world’s most prestigious road racing events. This year the Marathon will take place on April 18th with 15 members of ‘Dougie’s Team’ participating. Their collective goal is to raise $125,000 for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. In the coming weeks, we will hear from some of our dedicated team members and learn more about their personal stories and motivation.