This November, I have the honor of representing The Bell Center as a BellRunner at the NYC Marathon on November 3, 2024, in honor of our son Walker. The Bell Center is dedicated to maximizing the potential of children from birth to three years of age who are at risk for developmental delay.
After a difficult first year full of unanswered questions, Walker was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Wiedemann-Steiner Sydrome (WSS) in June 2022. WSS can contribute to challenges in overall physical health as well as developmental delays in several areas including feeding, speech, cognitive delays, and motor skills. Walker had the opportunity shortly thereafter to get plugged in with a variety of services at The Bell Center that specifically addressed each of those needs.
The Bell Center has truly been a blessing to our family. Not only has Walker had the chance to receive a variety of services all in one place, but the therapists and special education teachers he has gotten to work with have all been of the highest quality both in their technical understanding but also their hearts to see children facing these delays develop alongside their peers.
Despite the answers it DOES provide, receiving a diagnosis of any kind can be one of the loneliest feelings imaginable...we have certainly felt that and still do many days even still. Often we have felt the weight of the world on our shoulders, but The Bell Center has come alongside us to help carry some of that weight and give Walker and us the tools we need to help him grow and develop.
I humbly ask for your support (and maybe some prayers too!) as I prepare for and run the NYC Marathon this November representing The Bell Center in honor of Walker. As He does with every person, we believe that God has made Walker utterly unique, and we can't fully express the joy that it is to be his parents. Walker keeps us on our toes, but brings more light into our lives than we ever thought possible. Walker has worked so hard to overcome the challenges he's faced thusfar, and my prayer is that completing this Marathon could be even a small, symbolic representation of how proud of him we are.
Our family is so grateful for your support, and we wouldn't be who and where we are without each of you!
Hunter Smith
