It’s sometimes hard to believe that we have been participating in endurance sports with Toby for almost 10 years. It sucks getting up at 4 am to train. Yet Toby enjoys being able spend time doing something with peers that are not disabled.
So why you might ask do we run with an organization that runs in races with persons that are disabled? I am so happy you asked.
Toby was born with Cerebral Palsy and developed epilepsy at 2 1/2 months old. Toby has had a very hard time learning to talk, walk, sit up, all milestones typically developing kids would meet with ease, he never met. Yet, we never operated from a place that Toby was not capable of participating in the things like we do as a family. So things were harder than others to do. Bungie jumping probably “no”, but ice skating, with some encouragement, “Yes!”
Keeping Toby included at the center of family activities became a lifestyle. There was nothing with in reason we would not try. We attempted buddy sports, hiking, swimming, amusement parks, ice and roller skating, and endurance events. We found Toby gets the most pleasure and we get to talk to the most people about our testimony at endurance sporting events. Soon they became a part of family life and Toby was excited to being involved.
His little big sister, Allyson, even wanted to be in on the action. When she was only 6 and could barely see over the chair, she pushed Toby in his first marathon. It was the Kid’s Marathon at the Soldier’s Marathon that was held at Ft. Benning, GA. The rules were as follows: Allyson ran a mile a day pushing Toby in the weeks leading up to the race. He total miles pre-race day were 25.2. She had to save the last mile for the race in Georgia.
Racing is one of the few places, Toby is included completely. His peers, at races, see him as a worthy competitor. He loves the time spent with his peers and person’s who love being his arms and legs.
Building friendships that spanned miles and states became an added bonus to the activity. We get gather with our friends at different venues for racing and share the good God has done and our personal triumphs. Toby ran his very first Marine Corps Marathon(MCM) with his really good friend, assisted athlete Ironman World Champion Finisher, Kyle Pease.
Kyle is a great friend, encourager, and has been a driving force in helping me understand what must be going on in Toby’s head even though he can’t verbalize to us. Kyle’s heart is to build bridges in the community, by sharing his story and stories of others like him, Kyle is able to help people see that Toby and Kyle and their foundation friends are not much different from anyone else.
Kyle runs The Kyle Pease Foundation which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in events like the Marine Corps Marathon(MCM). Kyle is one of Toby’s buds. He is a living example of what love looks like on earth. His foundation provides the “wheels” for that end. Kyle shares his daily walk through his daily devotion.
We are waiting for Toby’s new Triathlon chair, from Make-A-Wish. We continue to participate in running races until we can get back to triathlon.
We have challenges sometimes too. But we overcome and adapt.
Please help Toby participate in his 3rd MCM with the Kyle Pease Foundation. If you are inclined click on the
link to donate and/or share on your social media. We are not yet to our goal and any donation will help.
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