A 5K for my Sister, the Special Olympics and YOU!

I have a vague memory of when I was almost four. A day when I was trying to understand why my older sisters were so excited. There’s going to be another one of us. What?

“That’s why Mom has been gone all day,” one of them said. ”She’s at the hospital getting a new baby!” (That’s how things were explained in my family)

A baby? I had one brother and three sisters and it never dawned on me that would change. But I was thrilled and couldn’t wait for mom and my new sister to come home.

That baby sister, Rosene, grew up and taught me many things.

Probably due to her name, Rosene was drawn to roses and she was impressed that roses bloomed and were fragrant, even if life gave them thorns and her goal was to do the same.

Her life motto was “Bloom where you are planted.” 

And she did—even though she faced more obstacles than most of us. Her obstacles came in the form of Cerebral Palsy* which caused a lack of muscle coordination over her entire body.

She walked, but was unsteady and always had bruises on her knees from falling, but she walked for most activities until her late twenties, when she began using a wheelchair.

My mom and I took Rosene to a field day with our local Special Olympics of Berks County a time or two. Rosene loved every second of those days… whether she was focusing hard to throw a ball, walk a short distance or watching others, this smile never left her face all day.

If you’ve read my memoir, Because I Can, you know the relationship Rosene and I had was special, even if we didn’t always agree on everything. And you also know that Rosene passed away at age 39 on October 22, 2008 and that’s when I decided to follow her example of
doing the best I can, with what I have… because I can!

So when I saw a 5k (3.1 miles) called YES I CAN which is raising money for Special Olympics of Berks Co, I wanted to get involved and recently I had a meeting with the planning team. 

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And I’m thrilled to be a part of this!

I’m helping with promotion and I’ll be at the 5k, either running it or helping, depending on the need. And for this to be successful we need you and you and you and you and you!

Jackie from “Jackie and Scott” at Y102 is co-directing this event and I’ll be on air with her on August 9th to encourage her listeners to do what they can and join the YES I CAN 5k! 

UPDATE: Link to my time on-air with Jackie on 8/9/12.

Jackie’s goal is to have this be a run and a walk. Not just a run. So here’s your chance. Whether you’re a speed demon or a walker or some level in between… this is your 5k!

And remember it’s all about the Special Olympics! They are…

“A non-profit organization which provides training and competitions for the intellectually disabled. Our athletes, ranging from eight years of age to adult, participate in local, state, and international games. Our program receives no government funding; therefore we rely solely on donations from the community and fundraising.”

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Rosene never had the option of putting on a pair of running shoes and doing a 5k. But in everything she did, she gave her all as did every person I saw at the Special Olympics  events. They truly embodied the oath of the Special Olympics…

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let be brave in the attempt.”

This is an opportunity to do something that benefits your health and makes life better for others. The 5K and a .5 Kids Run will happen at Gring’s Mill on the flat Union Towpath.  So round up your friends, your family (yes, even the crazy uncle) and come join us.

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Are you brave?
Brave doesn’t mean not having any doubts or fears.
Brave means doing what you can, with what you have, where you are…
because you can! 

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Click here for more info and to register. Only $25 if you register before 8/13! If you have any questions about the 5k or about training for it, leave them in the comments.

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*Cerebral Palsy (CP) is an umbrella term that encompasses a group of non-progressive, non-contagious conditions that cause physical challenges in human development. CP mostly affects body movement and muscle coordination. There is no known cure for CP.

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