Run for Mobility

If you follow my blog, you know how devoted I am to my job and the cause of Free Wheelchair Mission, to transform lives through the gift of mobility as motivated by Jesus Christ.
I have had amazing experiences in 6 different countries distributing wheelchairs to the poor and disabled. To be able to bring joy, restore hope and dignity to a person in need and see the ripple effect a wheelchair has on that person’s entire family and community is just an incredible experience. Despite the difficulties these people face, they have so much joy in receiving the gift of a wheelchair.
For over five years I have been sitting on the sidelines as Free Wheelchairs Mission is the sponsored charity for the Huntington Beach Surf City Marathon. I have always been supporting the runners and had some sort of task to do during the days events. This year, our staff is bigger, our volunteer force stronger, and I decided it was time for me to get off the sidelines. This year I will be running the half marathon. I am running for those who can’t. For the people I have personally delivered wheelchairs to, to honor them, and run, run, because they wish they could.
Let me tell you – I HATE running. I love to be active, but running is about my least favorite exercise. So this is pretty significant. I know lots of people do marathons and half marathons all the time and so to join the millions of people who do them isn’t that big of a deal. What is a big deal is that I have the opportunity to honor and support people who do not have a way to get out and feel the sunshine on their faces, to sit at the dinner table with their families, to go to school, to get a job, unless they have a wheelchair. So while I am training and ultimately running all of these miles, I think about the faces of the people I have met on my journey with Free Wheelchair Mission, and all the people that I know are still out there in need.
I won’t be doing this alone. Adam, his brother and his sister are joining me in this run. We have a team, Team Blaesser, and we are raising funds for Free Wheelchair Mission. If you find yourself in the spirit of giving this holiday season, please think about Free Wheelchair Mission and sponsor me and Team Blaesser to raise funds to send more wheelchairs around the world! You can donate to my page here or to our team here Don’t miss the latest Christmas Video from Free Wheelchair Mission either!

 Oh and did I mention, if you donate the amount of $59.20, one wheelchair, this Christmas, instead of the usual gifts, you can donate a wheelchair in the name of your family and friends. The one you honor will receive a beautifully designed gift card with the opportunity to designate their wheelchair to one of five regions around the world. As a result, somewhere in a developing country, a person with a disability will be provided the wheelchair that will change their life, forever. Thanks for your support. Time to start running.