On Saturday, the Wings for Life Event was back in Sunrise – running and walking for those who can’t … yet!
Jessika and Ray, amazing Sunrise residents who use wheelchairs every day to mobilize around our community, motivated so many of us to lace up and go! This Saturday was also the 5th Wedding Anniversary for Jessika and Ray -- and I was honored to officiate their marriage --- at the Wings for Life event in Sunrise 5 years ago! I wore the same shirt from that amazing day 5 years ago!
Wings for Life is the most unique event. You start and there is no finish line! You start and, after a head start, a virtual chaser car takes off to chase you down – you try to stay one step ahead of it until it catches you and then your race is done.
We gathered at Sanctuary Park and at 7:00 AM E.S.T. Runners and walkers from all over the world began at the same exact time to raise awareness and money for spinal cord injury research. For some, they took off in the middle of the night; others took off in the middle of the heat of the day. We, in Sunrise, took off to an amazing Sunrise!
Like most people, I have a million worthless excuses to not lace up and run. I am out of shape having not run any distances in a long time. In addition, my right foot was still black and blue from what I think was a broken bone in my foot after a dumb moment.
But how could I possibly complain or do anything but lace up and go --- what would those in wheelchairs in our community and across the world give for just the opportunity to rise out of the chair, lace up, and huff and puff on a run or feel some small discomfort in a foot!! That motivated me and went as far as I could before I was caught by the virtual chaser car at 4.69 miles.
Spinal Cord Injuries do not discriminate … we are all one illegal left hand turn into our path, or an accidental fall, or an infection or tragic moment away from using a wheelchair to navigate this world.
Thanks to Wings for Life, all those who participated in Sunrise, and to Jessika and Ray!