Here we go again! ???
This journey started with a dream of running the Boston Marathon as a way to honor my sweet son Benjamin and our journey together with autism. The miles spent training, the community rallying around this precious soul and the pride on Ben's face every day was the most humbling and inspiring time of my life. We were able to spread awareness, understanding and acceptance to so many people, it would be impossible to not want to do it again!
When Ben was just two years old he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He was nonverbal, self injurous and the developmental equivalent of a 6 month old. We were so scared of what his life would look like and completely lost on what to do to support him. We were given resources like the ones supported by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation and little by little a light started to shine in our dark world. Benjamin was able to receive speech therapy, occupational therapy and developmental therapy, we had special teachers that rose to the occasion of taking on a more complex child. we prayed, we cried, we celebrated the small victories and we mourned the set backs. Benjamin is now 9 years old and is the funniest, most thoughtful, sincere child I have ever met. His sweet little soul melts everyone he meets and I KNOW we would not be here without all the support we encountered along the way.
This journey has not been easy or linear but if we can help one child receive a diagnosis, support service, or help a lost, scared parent find their way I will carry that task with honor, dignity and humility. Every child deserves to be loved for who they are and where they are and every parent should know that they can do the hard things. That is why I am back again, running this race, with this team for my Ben
#Berlinboundforben