As If I Needed More Motivation

I woke up this morning unsure that I can truly finish this race. My 50 pound wheelchair is feeling heavier and heavier each time I go out to push. My shoulders are aching and my blisters have blisters. I can barely do the things I need to day-to-day because my hands and shoulders hurt so bad. Not a good thing in a wheelchair user.

This "secret" was posted at PostSecret today. It felt like a sign, a reminder that this marathon is bigger than me. I am humbled and remotivated.

Researchers at the Reeve-Irvine Research Center are ready to begin Human clinical trials in a treatment for infants with SMA1. I have followed the progress of these trials for selfish reasons;. This treatment, once proven successful, will be used to return function to people with chronic spinal cord injuries. People like me and so many others.

If the people of RIRC are willing to dedicate their lives to figuring out how to help babies with SMA1 and how to restore function in people with chronic spinal cord injury, surely I can give a few weeks of pain, sweat and a little blood to support them.

If you're moved by this, I hope you'll participate in whatever manner you can. Of course a financial donation is great but there is so much more that can be done.

Please, sign the petition for SMA while you're at it, sign the petition for spinal cord injury research. Both will only take a second of your time.



And, if you're able, please consider a donation to my marathon effort. All funds go to the Reeve-Irvine Research Center where one day, scientists will announce treatments for both of these horrible conditions.

Area Martial Artist Sits Down For Those Who Cannot Stand Up.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Area Martial Artist Sits Down For Those Who Cannot Stand Up.

Accepting the challenge of a student, Sr. Master Mark Kaup-Lee will compete in the PF Chang Rock N Roll Half Marathon in a wheelchair. A 7th degree black belt and owner of 5 area martial arts academies, Kaup-Lee was challenged by his student, Jennifer Longdon; herself paralyzed, to complete the 13.1 mile race as she will; in a wheel chair.

The pair will raise money for spinal cord injury research. Longdon, an area martial artist and student of Kaup-Lee’s, sustained her spinal cord injury more than four years ago in a still-unsolved shooting. Longdon was riding in a vehicle driven by her fiancé, David Rueckert, when the pair was shot multiple times by an unknown assailant. Rueckert was shot in the head; Longdon was shot in the back.

Kaup-Lee was helping Longdon with her training when she groused “You think it’s so easy? You strap 50 pounds to your back and race 13 miles on your hands.” Kaup-Lee in that instant agreed. “It’s not the same for me.” Kaup-Lee explains “I have control of my balance and core muscles in a way that a paraplegic like Ms. Longdon does not. But it’s still pretty challenging.” Kaup-Lee’s first taste of the difficulty faced by those with spinal cord injuries came when he was training with Longdon one morning. “He flew up a hill while I chugged along behind. When he reached the top I told him to try it again without using his abs. It was a little more challenging the second time.” Longdon teased.

While wheel chair competitors are not, in themselves, new or noteworthy; Kaup-Lee and Longdon will not participate in the racing chair division but in the standard division. “We’ll be using regular wheelchairs weighing between 40 and 50 pounds instead of the lighter racing chairs.” Kaup-Lee explains. “Ms. Longdon cannot get in and out of the racing chair any more without assistance.” Kaup-Lee adds “Why do it if it’s easy?”

Of course, they are competing in their fundraising totals as well as the race. The pair will donate all proceeds to Research for Cure, a 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit organization that raises funds for the Reeve Irvine Research Center.

Donations can be made through http://masterlee.chipin.com/research-for-cure, or http://jenlongdon.chipin.com/research-for-cure or checks made payable to Research for Cure may be sent to Lee’s Black Belt Academy, 715 W Baseline Rd Tempe, AZ 85283. Note “Lee” or “Longdon” in the memo.

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