If anybody ever asks me why I ran 61 marathons in 2010, all I need to do is show them this picture:
We just got this picture yesterday from a photographer. When I saw it, I had an ultimate case of mixed reactions. It’s a beautiful picture of my son, no doubt. But it stopped me dead in my tracks. It’s tough to stare at reality like that.
I’m not one to cry real quick, but this brought me pretty close. When I look at this picture, I can’t think about anything else. This is my “why” … why I ran the races, why I wanted to run myself into the ground so hard, why I was willing to cause long-term damage to myself. It’s pretty painful for me to look at a picture that so clearly illustrates not only how beautiful my son is, but how much he’s lost in his own world due to autism.
I’ve been over this before, but I hate autism. I hate what it does to my son and my family, I hate what it does to other kids and other families, and if there is anything I can do to fight autism, I will. Unfortunately for me, my ability is running marathons very frequently at a fairly decent pace. I can do it, but it still hurts! But I know that’s what I can do to make a difference. Jack is severely autistic and is probably always going to struggle. He probably won’t change the world on his own. But other kids in future generations don’t have to struggle. And through my running, I can make sure Jack has an impact. I want other kids to have a better life because of him.
The way I tried to make a difference was by raising money to help Train 4 Autism grow. Train 4 Autism helps people raise money for the autism-related charity of their choice. We help small organizations all over the place raise much-needed funds to help the lives of people impacted by autism. I’m glad I was able to raise a lot of money and have a role in seven new chapters getting started last year. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I want my son to have a legacy. I love him so much, and I hate what he goes through. I’ll never stop trying to make a difference in his honor.
Of course, I didn’t need to tell you all that. All I had to do was show you that picture.
sarah says
🙂 beautiful.
katie says
this is powerful.
Jackie says
Love that picture! Excited to see you in June. If you have time we would love to take you to lunch.
gene @boutdrz says
Sam, this picture is fantastic! Very moving. It is one of those pictures that you either ‘get’ right away, or you don’t get at all.
I get it.
Thank you for sharing, and for all that you do.
Gene
Layla says
Aww. That photo is cute, sad, adorable and poignant. Jack does have something big going for him, though — he’s got parents and siblings who love him unconditionally.
Michel says
Wonderful pic but very telling. I hate Autism as well for the same reasons.