Run Heather Run!

A few months ago a very special person ran into our lives. That's right, ran into our lives.

Through an organization called Who I Run 4, my son Alvaro became a buddy to a runner. This buddy/ runner relationship is meant to bring encouragement to both parties involved. The buddy is usually someone who can't run for themselves- usually due to a special needs situation, a disease, or a condition which makes it a challenge for the buddies to run. The runner is usually an athlete of various levels who runs on behalf of the buddy. This running gives them a renewed sense of purpose and motivation behind their training, races, and exercises.

So the last day of October in 2013, Alvaro was matched with Heather. She was bound for a half marathon with her sister Melanie, a couple of weeks after the match. Melanie was on the waiting list to be matched, so she also lovingly ran on behalf of Alvaro.

What a blessing these ladies have been in our lives. They truly have become good friends of ours, despite the distance between us. I corresponded with them, hearing the stories of who they were and why they ran. I believe God really placed these sisters in my life. There were some nights when I was worried about a situation and I sent Heather and text. And she responded giving me the encouragement I really needed.

More than anything though, I am excited about having such a lovely role model for my son. I have seen hard work and determination overcome obstacles and setbacks through her story. I have seen her give it her all, rain or shine, and take in mile after mile. My son will know many obstacles in his life, as we all do. I love knowing that while he may have some physical challenges because of his condition, that there are people, like Heather, who he can look up to... and know that he can push through and work hard and accomplish much.

What a very special gift God has given us.

Tomorrow is Heather & Melanie's 1st Marathon. We'll be here in Florida, Alvaro wearing his "Heather runs for me" onesie, cheering them on.  

Good Luck Heather! We love you!

Run like Kenyans, Brown Sisters!!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Lid

Image
When I was a child, my siblings, cousins, and I would spend our evening hours in the summer in hot pursuit of lighting bugs. The ideal lighting bug trap was a jar with a lid. When that wasn’t an option, we’d settle for clear plastic cups covered with aluminum foil for a lid.   It was always very important to poke holes in the lid. We did this to keep the bugs alive while in captivity. Then, after we had our fun enjoying their lights, we could uncover them and release them back to nature.   Seven weeks ago I gave birth to my own little lighting bug. Alvaro is as cute and precious as they come. And like a lighting bug when I was a child- he already fills my life with awe and wonder. Such is the nature of being able to witness the birth, growth, and development of my children. We as people come in all shapes and sizes, just like jars do. Some jars are dark, some light, others are tall, some short. You get the picture. Alvaro’s jar is wrapped with an extra chromosome. If his ja
Read more

Well Said

Image
I've been wanting to share a "Conversations about Down syndrome 101" on my Facebook for some time. So I decided it was time to contain it in a blog. Most of you know if you are a regular reader of my blog, that words are important to me. I seek to communicate clearly: to be heard and understand for what I am actually saying and meaning. I also seek to understand what someone else is actually saying and meaning, beyond their choice of words. This particular blog may make some people uncomfortable. You my read the following and say, " Um.... I said that - but I didn't mean it that way !"....   or " Why didn't you tell me that's how you felt about what I said ?" Please take note this is not a blog to address any specific conversation with any specific person. Before Alvaro I didn't know many individuals with Down syndrome (DS). In fact, I've met only one person and encountered him on less than a handful of occasions.
Read more

PTSD: A 6 Month Update

Image
It’s been 6 months since Alvaro’s accident. Six months since we were THISCLOSE from losing him. Six months since I have counted every day a blessing and have been more grateful than ever to have this child in my life and care. Interestingly enough, this 6-month mark is when I became aware I was suffering from PTSD. The shock of the trauma from his accident began to wear off a few weeks after it happened. Unfortunately, a whole new series of stressful and discouraging events immediately followed. This prevented me from being able to stop and breath and slow down. Simply put, I was in survival mode, dealing with one draining situation after another. Until one day I woke up and wondered how I had arrived at this place again? A place where I lacked self-care and rest. A place where I looked OK on the outside. I smiled and made jokes and told people I was hanging in there. But inside I was drained, dry, and depressed. On more than one occasion, I would admit the truth. Tha
Read more