Disney Princess Half Marathon & GP2C

Princess Rae

Several years ago, I lost A LOT of weight. After I lost the majority of my excess weight, I started dreaming that I was a runner. I could hear my feet pounding the pavement beneath them. I could feel my hair swishing back and forth brushing my neck. I could smell the salty marsh mingling with the fresh air while rhythmically breathing in and out (I have very vivid dreams). I woke up inspired! I bought appropriate running attire & good running shoes. I loaded up my iPod with upbeat music to push me further during each run. I was ready!

Then I twisted my ankle. It took FOREVER to heal. When it finally started to get better I twisted it again (guess I'm a klutz). My running was abruptly halted. Years went by and my running shoes became lawn mowing shoes. My shorts became clothes I wore to clean the house. My iPod sits on a shelf in my office collecting dust. At 27, I learned that I have arthritis in both of my knees, my lower spine, and my hips. Combine this with bone loss and none of my doctors advise that I take up running ever again. It will wreak havoc on my joints. I can briskly walk, ride a bike, or swim.

Now at the age of 32, the desire to run again (against doctor advisement) started bubbling up once more. I feel that even with my various ailments they are nothing compared to what my daughter is living with on a daily basis. Rae might never walk, much less run. The least I could do (or try to do) is run for her. My biggest risk is causing more damage to my joints which could complicate my ability to care for her physical needs long run.

This is where our heroine (yes, that is what you are) comes into the picture. Ria, my sister by choice and in Christ, has offered to run for Rae...for both of us really. I feel so blessed to have her and her family in our lives and so thankful that she is willing put effort into training to run for Rae.

Ria & Family

Ria has already registered with Disney Princess Half Marathon and with GP2C. Her goal is $750, but I think we can do better than $750. Correction, I know we can do better than $750!! My goal is $1000. All donations MUST be in before Feb 1st. This is for a great cause and every penny counts. The runners are raising money to help find a cure for Rett Syndrome. Please help us by helping them!

Here's the link to her donation page:

Ria's GP2C Disney Princess Half Marathon Donation Page

Getting Ready for Wheels

I'm a planner (I think I have admitted this to you before). I consider myself something akin to a lookout. Kind of like that guy in the crow's nest of a ship making sure the path is clear & alerting the crew to potential dangers ahead or a military scout boldly going ahead of everyone else to make sure danger isn't lying in wait. Getting ready for Rae's wheelchair has not been an exception to my obsession with planning or plotting our next move. As a result, in the last two weeks we have made some pretty decent strides in achieving our goals.

Step One:

Get a state id card for Rae. After four tries, we finally got a halfway decent picture of Rae. By the time we did it was with great relief that I was able to sit her back in her stroller. Holding 30 pounds up in the air for a picture and trying to stay out of it at the same time is no easy task. I can't blame her frown though...we waited for an hour before our number was called and she was over it.

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Step Two:

Get a disability parking permit issued for Rae. I actually had the paperwork for this back in December, but misplaced my lockbox key and couldn't get to the required paperwork in order to obtain an id. Of course it was in the most obvious place and I overlooked it three or four times. Duh!

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Step Three:

Order Rae's tilt and space wheelchair...the only decision I had to make was selecting a color. It will take three to four months for the wheelchair to be built and delivered. I'll wait until the wheelchair has arrived before I unveil the color I selected (gotta keep something a surprise).

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Step Four:

Organize fund raising events where all proceeds go towards the purchase of materials to build a wheelchair ramp. We are having a yard sale on March 23 (unless it rains and then it will be on April 6) and I set up a YouCaring.com account.

Wheelchair Ramp for Rae

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Step Five:

Work with Mom and sketch out plans for the ramps design. Yup, she is just that talented. In fact, she even designed floor plans for a house (the architect the drew up the official plans wanted to keep a copy...she said no). Both of my parents are pretty darn awesome when it comes to designing and creating solutions. I guess that's where I get it from.

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Step Six:

Pick dates for ramp construction. This is tentatively scheduled for two weekends in May. I will be serving light breakfast fare and lunch to my volunteers. It is the least I can do for the men coming to swing hammers, set posts & lay shingles (slight roof extension is needed to protect Rae for the torrential Florida downpours), and pour an extension for our driveway.

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Step Seven:

Price materials, pull permits, and...

Okay, you got me...we're not quite at 100%, but we're chugging along and I know we couldn't do it without the help of family, friends, and a few kind strangers.

Thank you!