Hi Friends and Family!

Thank you so much for visiting my Chicago Marathon fundraising page for the Great Lake Adaptive Sports Association! I appreciate any and all support, whether it comes in the form of a donation to this organization, a cheer from the sidelines, or a word of encouragement. 

No one is more shocked than I am to find me writing to all of you and asking for help in supporting this organization, because I never (ever!) thought I would run a marathon. Ever. However, over the past couple years, I have rekindled my love-hate relationship with running and have come to realize that if I tried, I would be able to complete a marathon. This realizaiton, combined with some motivation from my best friend, and good timing is what got me here today. 

Okay, I'll admit; that's a pretty surface-level explanation of my desire to participate in the Chicago Marathon. Warning... here comes some sap. 

As a pediatric physical therapist, I spend every day working with children who need help moving in some way or another. Sometimes it's working on kicking a ball, skipping down the hallway, running with their friends, swinging on the playground, going up and down the stairs, walking all by themselves, sitting up to play with a toy, or even just rolling to get in and out of bed. As much as I try to make this fun for them, all of these skills (as simple as they may seem) are really difficult things for them. Everyday, I ask these kids to do the hardest things for them, and they rise to the occasion each time (with a few tears along the way). Everyday, I get to watch these kids work incredibly hard to do things that I take for granted. And everyday, I am inspirired by their strength, attitude, and determination. 

With this in mind, I have developed this mantra that I repeat in my head during hard workouts and runs: "I will because I can; and I can, therefore I will". When deciding whether to run the marathon, this is something that really drove me to my decision. I know that I physically can do this, and therefore I will do it. Because there are so many people out there who would give anything to know what it feels like to run just 10 steps. So, I'm not going to take this ability for granted. 

The decision to run in support of GLASA was an easy one; they provide amazing opportunities for kids and adults with physical or visual disabilities the ability to participate in sports and activities that they would otherwise think are impossible. They allow them to participate in sports and activities, develop meaningful friendships, and feel a sense of pride that comes with competition and accomplishment. 

I hope that your decision to support GLASA is just as easy as mine was. Every bit helps, and will be SO appreciated by myself, the GLASA organization, and the kids and adults that it will directly benefit. 

Thanks so much!

Liz