In other news: since I am running across the country as a fundraiser, and I'm almost at the end of the country, that means the fundraising is almost over as well. Sunday is the last day for donations. You may do that at
Way.to/patricksrun4arthritis
If you would like to donate after Sunday, please feel free to donate directly to the Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis.org
Tell all your friends. Donate a buck.
End.
-- Patrick
Patrick, As your run comes to a close I want to thank you, As I have many times before . I regret the lapse of time I had where I was not able to check in and respond to your daily blogs. I have looked forward to your dailies and videos to the point that my daughter accused me of being a stalker!
ReplyDeleteWhen we heard your story back in December it gave my daughter hope. She felt embarrassed that she contracted this disease. She didn't want people to know, she wouldn't share her pains and would struggle quietly.
You help to change that, Jan 2 she met people who were just like her; young, vital, smiling, normal people with a terrible ailment. you gave her something to talk about and a way to explain it without being uncomfortable.
Shea "was" a great distance runner, with a real love of the open road. She wanted to go further and further everyday. it was not about racing, it was about the journey.
Today she asked her doctor if she could ever start running again... he said, we'll get you there,... and I just cried...
Thank you Patrick,
Dennis Sullivan
I want to thank you too, Patrick. My daughter will probably never be able to run again. And since I co-chair a support group, I know the stories and heartache of 130 other children. Sometimes, it is a lot for my shoulders to take. Since your journey, I have upped my miles. I think it would be cool to do a "baby" ultra next spring. (I don't think I am ready for 50-100 miles in my fifth decade) But there is a 25K mud run I have my eye on for next year. It is tough, but fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat you have done has made a difference in many lives. Thank you.
And if you do or do not make that magical 50K mark, that isn't what is important. You still have brought in a lot of money for the Foundation. What is most important is what YOU have learned with this and how you have grown as an individual.
ReplyDeletePatrick-
ReplyDeleteWhen I met your folks in Washington DC - it was easy to see how you became such a tremendous human being. I asked them then if you were at all sad about how difficult it seems to be to raise money these days, even with the monumental feat you are conquering. And they said just what I hoped they would... it's not all about the money. It's also about awareness... and there's no price that can be put upon the awareness you generated during your journey. There are no dollars that can equal or do justice to the inspiration you are, not only to our kids with JRA, but to those thousands of kids you talked to at schools along your route. The value of the people in the sub shops, chopper shops, city halls and small towns knowing about this cause is priceless.
Beyond the story of kids with arthritis, I want to thank you for sharing your journey consistently, with humor - because it took me clearly to places I will never see, and showed me the goodness of strangers I can only hope to meet in my lifetime.
You are a HUGE success in this endeavor - and I only hope you will continue to blog, so that your fan base can keep up with you ;) I want to know all about what happens when the beard comes off.....
Wish we could be there cheering you on at Tybee Island!
Colleen - om to Caitlin, 12, systemic