Program links runners with disabled children, adults

MAT-SU — Whether one runs professionally, recreationally, or only when chased, running for a person who can’t is one way to make the activity more meaningful.

The “I Run for Michael” or “I Run 4” program is a national movement, but for 7-year-old Valley resident Eric Edwards — who has dystonic cerebral palsy — and his family, the issue is a bit closer to home.

“As a parent of a special needs child, you get plenty of stares,” said Eric’s mother, Judy Edwards. “They mean well but they don’t know what to say.”

Eric needs a wheelchair to get around and he doesn’t speak. But he can communicate. Helping the community see past his disabilities to appreciate the smiling, happy boy she knows and loves.

I Run 4 could be part of the solution to breaking down those barriers and foster understanding.

Edwards said she doesn’t remember where she first heard about I Run For Michael, but after reading founder Tim Boyle’s story of running for his friend with bilateral hip dyspasia — who once competed in the Special Olympics but is now in a wheelchair — she found herself inspired to sign Eric up.

To participate in the program, runners and people with disabilities — many like Eric who cannot walk or run as a result of their condition — click on the “Match Me” tab on whoirun4.org, note whether they are a runner or non-runner, and wait to be contacted by the organization.

“Internationally…we have made 7,400 matches in all 50 states and 24 countries,” Boyle wrote in an email. “We have a total of 25,000 members with 3,400 runners waiting for a buddy (child or adult with special needs).”

With so many people signed up and so few volunteers to make the matches, Boyle said, the process can take several weeks, but eventually Eric was paired with a female teacher in Idaho. The Edwards and their new friend brainstormed mileage goals and other ideas for the partnership, settling on 2,700 miles: the distance between Eric and his buddy.

But 2,700 miles is a lot for one person, and Judy had another idea.

Eric’s mom contacted his P.E. teacher, Brandy Bishop, at Pioneer Peak Elementary and asked if she might be interested in incorporating I Run 4 into her already-established running program. Bishop and the students immediately took to the idea with enthusiasm, Judy said, and began “donating” their miles to Eric. From February to May, the kids walked or ran a total of 1,350 miles for Eric.

“They all know who he is (now), instead of just being ‘the kid in a wheelchair,’” Judy said. “He’s the only kid in a wheelchair at the school and he’s very popular, it’s really great.”

Eric found another way to connect with runners and other supporters in the Valley through Facebook. After visiting eighth-graders in Dave Child’s class at Teeland Middle School who wanted to connect with Eric online, Judy was inspired anew and created a page called “I Run for Eric,” modeled after the I Run for Michael page.

With more than 2,400 miles recorded on Facebook, Eric and his buddy are close to reaching their goal, and Judy said she wants to help spread awareness about the program to others.

“I know there (are) other people like Eric who would benefit from having this kind of connection with somebody,” she said. “Not only does it teach about disability awareness but it’s a positive way to touch other people as well.”

Jessica Docherty and her son Alex, too, have benefited from the program.

“It’s a very positive group of people,” Docherty said.

Alex’s buddy lives in Canada and has run several marathons in Alex’s name, his mother said, sending medals, Christmas cards, T-shirts and jerseys with Alex’s name on it that the Docherty family wore at the annual Buddy Walk in Anchorage on Aug. 2.

“I think that Alex thinks it’s really neat that he found somebody else to run (for him) and talk to, and in another country,” Jessica said.

Although the Docherty’s don’t have any sort of mileage goal like Eric and his partner, Alex’s runner has a blog — runlikeaclydesdale.tumblr.com — where he details his running adventures, many of which include running for Alex.

To find out more about the program, visit whoirunfor.com or the “I Run for Michael” page on Facebook.

Contact Caitlin Skvorc at 352-2266 or caitlin.skvorc@frontiersman.com.