I think almost all marathoners would agree that you don’t get to the finish line alone. We have all had a lot of help along the way. I had two high school coaches that inspired me to set personal goals each week and reach them. I had a father that encouraged me to run with him in early races, half-marathons, and eventually marathons. A talented physical therapist gave me support and guidance that keeps me headed toward the finish line year after year. Thanks to the Flutie Team, I continue to be blessed with an incredible group of runners around me that gather on cold, rainy & snowy Saturday mornings to get the long miles in.
My personal journey started in Medellin, Colombia where I was born. My parents John and Cindy Adams adopted me as an infant and brought me to Connecticut where I thrived with my brother Ben in a warm and welcoming community. I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at eleven months when my parents noted right sided weakness. Following advice from our neurologist, my parents chose not to treat me any differently than my older brother. We learned to ski, play the trumpet and swim. We ran in the Race for the Cure at age five and six. In high school, I joined the cross-country team. As a freshman, I was dead last in every race, but I remember my team and coaches sticking around to cheer me on at the finish line. That next summer I was determined to improve and got up early every morning to run with my Dad before he went to work. That fall I gradually worked my way up to a solid middle of the pack finisher. I can’t thank my coaches Wally Hansen and Dennis Lobo enough for their steadfast support and guidance as I grew in my ability and confidence.
Tell your donors who you are and why you are running!
Five years ago, I found the Doug Flutie Junior Foundation for Autism and have had the honor to run with their team ever since. The Foundation has fantastic staff, patient coaches and amazing guides that helped me improve my times and endurance. This circle of tremendously dedicated people believed in me from the start, and helped me grow in confidence and leadership. I honestly feel that I am a better person from working closely with the Flutie Team. This year the Flutie Team enabled about 20 adaptive runners to complete the Boston Marathon. Each of us on the Adaptive Team have various physical and neurological challenges. The Flutie Foundation has helped us make our dream of running this prestigious Marathon come true. Adaptive runners put in the work just like every other runner in the marathon. I am proud to represent the adaptive running community and always look forward to raising funds to help children and families with autism.
This year, I will run my sixteenth marathon and my fourth Major by participating in the Berlin Marathon in September 2025. I am one of the Captains for the Flutie Team and I work with new adaptive runners to help them gain strength and the essential skills for success.
Thank you so much for your support. Please be assured that every dollar I raise goes directly toward helping people with autism find the help and support they need.