All the Motivation I Needed

So, Adam and I have been trying to decide if we want to do the Huntington Beach half marathon again next year...  After our marathon experience earlier this year I took a break from running, I went back to spinning and circuit training, the stuff I actually enjoy doing to stay in shape.  Running has never been my favorite. 

But then last week two things happened to motivate me to sign up.

 My mother-in-law emailed me, asking if Adam and I were going to do the Free Wheelchair Mission run for mobility again this year?  She wanted to be sure and make a donation if we were. 

I hadn't really realized that people are now kind of expecting us to do this.  But they're not expecting us to do it for ourselves, they're expecting us to do it for all the people around the world that need wheelchairs.  Here we have the opportunity to raise money for a cause I care so much about it, how could I say No now!

Then this happened... 

 Last November I received a heart wrenching story about a little boy in Malawi who needed a wheelchair.  It brought me a new perspective I needed at that time.  I even wrote about it on this blog.  I told you all I would do whatever it takes to make sure little Fredson in Malawi would get his chair.  And guess what, on Friday I got the email... Fredson was finally given the chair he longed for.

This picture was what I shared back in November... this is what gave me motivation and perspective to keep doing what I do.

 Here's the story I received from our partner in Malawi...


...When the shipment arrived inTembo we immediately went looking for him.We found him at his home near Zomba, the former colonial capital of Malawi.  Although the family had taken Fredson to the Beit Cure Hospital in Blantyre to find a cure, the family received a questionable diagnosis that caused them to decide the effort for a cure did not offset the potential downside to the surgery. The family was afraid to move forward. Tembo reports, “Fredson was facing a future of crawling in the dust, and little chance of continuing his education. Then the wheelchair arrived.  Now there is hope for Fredson.

So much hope for this young man!  

Relief for his Mother too!

 Pure joy filled my heart.  This family live on less that $1 a day.  They have suffered so much, so to be able to restore a little hope for them is beyond fulfilling.  I also heard that Fredson has a great passion for education and has taken the standard testing so he can enter school. He will start grade 4 soon! 

All that to say, yes!  Yes, Adam and I will be running in the Surf City Half marathon.  But in no way am I doing this for my own goal, or personal records, I am doing it because I know that lives will be transformed, as I've just shared with you. 

So what do you say?  Any donation will help Free Wheelchair Mission send more wheelchairs around the world.  Plus if you donate in the month of October, your donation will be matched!  All you have to do is click this link to donate to our Run for Mobility!

Yay for wheelchairs!