Why I am running for the Flutie Foundation
I am honored to be running the 2024 Boston Marathon for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation. The foundation has been helping families and individuals affected by autism get access to services they need to live life to the fullest.
This cause is deeply personal to me because my older brother, Tom, has autism. I have seen the Flutie Foundation's positive impact on his life. Tom is the most incredibly hardworking person I know, and I am privileged to call him my brother. Tom has persevered through continuous challenges that his autism creates in his everyday life, but he NEVER STOPS believing he can accomplish his goals!
His own courage has gotten him far, but I truly believe that it is because of the support from our community - family, family friends, my own friends, along with services like the Flutie Foundation offers - is the reason he is living life to the fullest.
Tom currently lives independently in Florida and attends an autism work readiness technology program called nonPareil Institute which the Flutie Foundation helps fund. One of Tom's goals has always been to live in Florida, and incredibly, he has made this happen. Life is not always easy for Tom, but he continues to fight for the life he wants and deserves!
Thank you for choosing to help people with autism live full lives!
About Me
I am Troy Ladka, a senior at Suffolk University. Up until this year, I was a member of the Men's Ice Hockey team. Being an athlete my entire life, I am constantly seeking some type of physical challenge. Now that I am no longer a hockey player, I have set my sights on becoming a marathon runner. I knew immediately I wanted this to be an athletic goal but also to give back to a community that has literally transformed the lives of people with autism like my bother Tom.