For years, running has been a way for me to unwind, unwind, and take some time personally. It has a method of making me feel strong, empowered, free, and happy. But I never truly realized what it really meant to me until I was faced with one of the biggest adversities of my entire life.
Who’s this couple? Missing these obx days hard at this time #Fbf #everythingslava #inauguralreadingofthepdf
Two years back my boyfriend Matt, whom I’d been with for seven years, called me before he was headed to experience a basketball game for any local league he was at. Calling me before a game title?wasn’t a habit for him, but on that day he wanted to tell me he loved me and that he was hoping I’d cook dinner for him for something new. (FYI, the kitchen is not my area of expertise.)
Begrudgingly, I agreed and asked him to skip basketball and come home to spend more time with me instead. He assured me the sport would be fast and that he’d be home in no time.
Twenty minutes later, I saw Matt’s name on my cell phone again, however when I answered, the voice on the other side wasn’t him. I immediately knew something was wrong. The man at risk said Matt had been hurt and that I should get there as fast as I could.
I beat the ambulance towards the court and saw Matt lying on the ground with people throughout him. When I reached him, he looked fine, but he couldn’t move. After being rushed towards the ER and many scans and tests later, i was told that Matt had severely injured his spine in two places right below the neck and that he was paralyzed from the shoulders down. (Related:?I’m an Amputee and Trainer-But Didn’t Step Foot In the Gym Until I Was 36)
Never stop believing in hope. Miracles happen everyday ??
In many ways, Matt is lucky to be alive, but from that day on he’d to totally forget the life he had before and begin on your own. Before his accident, Matt and I were completely separate from each other. We were never the couple that did everything together. However, Matt needed help doing everything, even the simplest of things like scratching an itch on his face, drinking water, or moving from point A to point B.
Because of that, our relationship also needed to start from scratch once we adjusted to the new life. The idea of not together, though, never was a question. I was likely to sort out this bump no matter what it took.
I don't know all of the outcomes, don't understand what happens tomorrow. However when that ocean of doubt comes don't allow me to drown in my sorrow ??
The funny thing with spinal cord injuries is that they’re different for everybody. Since his injury, Matt continues to be likely to intensive physical rehabilitation at a local rehabilitation center called?Journey Forward?four or five times a week-the ultimate goal being, that by following these guided exercises, he’d eventually gain back some if not all of his mobility.
That’s why whenever we first got him into the enter in 2016, I promised him that one way or the other, we’d run the Boston Marathon together the following year, even if that meant I had to push him inside a wheelchair the entire way. (Related:?What Registering for the Boston Marathon Educated me in About Goal-Setting)
So, I began training.
We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is exactly the same. ??????#unfinishedbusiness #unfinishers #hotshot #beestrong #wetherbeast
I’d run 4 or 5 half marathons before, but Boston was going to be?my first marathon?ever. By running the race, I needed to give Matt something to appear toward and, for me personally, training provided the opportunity for mindless long runs.
Ever since his accident, Matt has been completely dependent on me. When I’m not working, I’m making sure he has everything he needs. The only real time I really get to myself is when I run. Actually, even though Matt prefers that i am around him whenever possible, running may be the one thing he’ll push me out of the door to complete, even when I feel guilty for leaving him.
It’s become this kind of amazing method for me either to escape from reality or actually take time to process all the things that are going on within our lives. And when everything appears like it’s from my control, a long run might help me feel grounded and remind me that everything is likely to be okay. (Related:?11 Science-Backed Ways Running Is actually Healthy for you)
Matt designed a ton of progress throughout his first year of physical therapy, but he wasn’t capable of getting back any of his functionality. So last year, I made a decision to operate the race without him. Crossing the finish line, however, just didn’t feel right without Matt by my side.
Over yesteryear year, thanks to his dedication to physical therapy, Matt has begun to feel pressure on parts of his body and may even wiggle his toes. This progress encouraged me to find a way to operate the 2018 Boston Marathon with him as promised, even if that meant pushing him in his wheelchair the whole way. (Related:?What People Havenrrrt heard of Staying Easily fit in a Wheelchair).
To run again or not to run again…zat is ze question ???????????????? @danny_kiely5 #teamkielyFTW
Unfortunately, we missed the state race deadline to sign up being an “athletes with disabilities” duo. Then, as luck would have it, we’ve got a chance to partner with?HOTSHOT, a nearby manufacturer of sports shot drinks aimed to avoid and treat muscle cramping, to operate the race route a week before it exposed to registered runners. Together we worked to boost awareness and funds for?Journey Forward?with HOTSHOT generously donating $25,000. (Related:?Satisfy the Inspiring Team of Teachers Chosen to operate the Boston Marathon)
When they heard what we were up to, the Boston Police Department provided to provide us with a police escort throughout the course. Come “race day,” Matt and I were so surprised and honored to see crowds of people ready to cheer us on. Just like the 30,000+ runners will do on Marathon Monday, we started at the official Place to begin in Hopkinton. Before I knew it, i was off, and people even joined us on the way, running portions of the race around therefore we never felt alone.
The largest crowd comprised of family, friends, and supportive strangers joined us at Heartbreak Hill and accompanied us all the way to the conclusion line at Copley Square.
I still cannot even believe Monday happened. I’m baffled for words. Hands down the best day of my entire life and the coolest thing That i have ever been apart of. Can’t start to thank everyone but allow me to try: thank you so much to my loved ones, friends, strangers/supporters, the BPD, @team_hotshot @gear_comm @newbalance to make this all happen as well as for letting me take care of my unfinished business. Having people join in and run and cheer us on was truly unreal and beyond motivating. First and foremost, thank you to my love, Matt. You inspire and challenge me to become better everyday. This really is only just the start for us. Appreciate enduring my crazy ideas and making me the luckiest girl on the planet. #unfinishers #teamhotshot #missionaccomplished #quadriplegic #beestrong #wetherbeast
It was the conclusion line moment when Matt and I both burst into tears together, proud and at a loss for the fact that we finally did what we should had set out to do 2 yrs ago. (Related:?Why I’m Running the Boston Marathon Six months From a Baby)
So lots of people have come as much as us because the accident to tell us that we’re inspiring and that they feel motivated by our positive attitude in the face of this type of heartbreaking situation. But we never truly felt that about ourselves until we managed to get past that finish line and proved that we can do anything we put our minds to which no obstacle (big or small) was going to enter our way.
Thanks to @newbalance , we were able to get within our last run before our big race in style! Time to crush 26.2 and finally FINISH our unfinished business ???????? #thisisboston #newbalance #nbrunning #teamhotshot #unfinishers #quadriplegic #hotquad
It also gave us a change in perspective: Maybe we’re lucky. Through all of this adversity and thru all of the setbacks we’ve faced these latter years, we’ve learned life lessons that some people wait decades to actually understand.
What many people say is the stresses of everyday life, whether that’s work, money, weather, traffic, really are a walk in the park for all of us. I would give anything for Matt to feel my hugs or just get him to hold me again. Those little things that people ignore every day are actually what matters most, as well as in a lot of ways, we’re grateful that we know that now.
Overall, this whole journey has been a reminder to become grateful for the bodies we have and most of, be pleased about the ability to move. Who knows when that could be taken away. So appreciate it, cherish it, and use it as much as you are able to.
