IRUN4 - Inspiring, Encouraging, Believing

I wanted to take a moment in the middle of everything and for those who don't already know about the IRun4 program and have a child with special needs/a disability. This program is amazing, it brings complete strangers together and builds lasting friendships based on inspiration, encouragement and support. Athletes who already walk/run/work-out, etc on a regular basis sign up to be matched with a child that has a chronic illness, disability or life-threatening disease.

The runners carry-on so to speak with their normal routines, but they now have someone to inspire them to train harder, run faster or longer, push their work-out more. The children have someone to encourage them to keep on with their own fight and journey. They both believe and support each other and as a result a beautiful friendship and bond is formed. The pictures above are of my son, David, who was diagnosed with Autism at 3.5 years old and his IRun4 Buddy Jen (the Spiderman is her son Tyler - who also loves running and encouraging David too).

The program last year opened their doors to the siblings of our little heroes too! Which has been nothing short of amazing, especially for my two girls who start to feel left behind in the craziness of therapies, evaluations, appointments and length of time and attention David requires. The siblings program has allowed each sibling to feel connected to someone who encourages them to keep being the best big or little sibling they can be, to continue to help their sibling and to also keep being the awesome kid they also are. Siblings are truly the unsung heroes in the realm of medical journeys. They learn to sacrifice more at an early age than anyone else...and they do it without complaint, hesitation or even questioning the reasons why.

Here are some pictures from the girls' buddies - Rashelle and Megan! Both girls love their buddies and always look forward to seeing text messages on my phone or new postings on my personal Facebook page for them. It makes their days brighter and gives them the best feeling in the world, that there is someone they've never met cheering them on in their own personal goals. With the year we've had, it has been fabulous for each of the children to have their own cheerleader. While they know I am always their biggest fan in the world, having two is something they're more than thankful for!

What is exciting for me is seeing my personal friends who are runners being matched up with special children! It is a great feeling to know I have some terrific people in my life that want to help encourage and inspire the life of a child fighting an illness/disease or disability.

So for those who haven't signed up to participate in the program for your children - here is our personal testimony as to what the IRun4 program means to our family.

To learn more about the program and to sign-up you can visit their website at:
http://www.whoirun4.com/