There is an incredible organization called I Run 4. This organization has several branches that fit different needs. There is I Run 4 Michael, I Run for Rememberance, I Run for Wounded Veterans and I Run 4 Siblings the Unsung Heroes. Each of these is designed to match runners with individuals with specific needs. It is truly an incredible organization, and if you have not heard of it, you should definitely check it out! Read more about it here!

With that being said, I Run 4 Michael is specific to those with special needs, they are matched with a runner and then that runner dedicates their workouts and runs, etc to their buddy. I have been following the group for awhile, and finally put in our request a few weeks ago to have Aveline matched with a Runner. There are also vendors that sell IRun4 logo inspired products and we sent our runner a few things that we thought she would like to represent our daughter.

Last Monday night she was matched with a Woman named Natalie Williams. Let me just say, she is an inspiration to us, and quickly felt like an extended part of our family!

“For Aveline,
The water was cold but I didn’t give up. the bike went wrong (flat tire, and chain fell), but I didnt give up. I pushed through the final 3.1 miles and never gave up because I ran for that lil smile 🙂 💕” ~ Natalie Williams, after finishing her triathalons last week. She sent us this photo and quote!

Natalie, runs triathalons, she is 32 and lives just outside of Animal Kingdoom in Florida, she said she can see the fireworks almost every night, what a truly cool opportunity. She also works at Disney in a Hammock shop, and writes operating guides and training manuals for theme parks around the US as freelance. This alone is not what makes her interesting though; Natalie is a Luthern, who was in a coma for almost 6 months after being hit by a car, and woke up when they went to turn off support, she overcame abusive relationships, seizures (she has a really cute service dog name Mogli, he helps her when and if she has seizures), and she has beat cervical cancer twice, and had a full hysterectomy. She is funny and kind. We have spent the past couple of weeks really getting to know her through the phone, and we quickly connected. She asks how Aveline is every day and ran her first triathlon of the season last week and dedicated the run to Aveline.

Aveline does not yet understand what Natalie does, but she recognizes her in photos and loves getting photos of Ms. Natalies dog, and seeing silly photos of Ms. Natalie with her Mickey mouse ears on! We just wanted to share a little bit about this organization that we are participating in, share a little bit about our runner Natalie, and of course get another blog out to you about what is going on in our lives.

We are lying low this week, as Monday we make the trek back to Children’s for about 4 days. Aveline will be getting her sedated Brain MRI, and meeting with her entire feeding team. We are also excited to see our Ronald McDonald Family, those that work there and currently “live” there. Some incredible relationships and bonds have been made within those walls! Thank you for your continued prayers!