Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Celebrate change with me!


Not quite 2 years ago, I was introduced to the sport of running.  It really has been become a metaphor for positive changes in the rest of my life.
Link to recap
My first race was the Heartbeat5000 5K, which supports the Children's Hospital in MN, and I plan to commemorate the anniversary by running it again.

However, this time, I don't want to just run it.  Earlier this year I was at the One Step, One Breath conference and a speaker, Philly D., told us that "when you are rising up, don't forget to reach down." I really want to take this to heart and am apply some of that energy here.


The race organizers give you the opportunity to raise money for Children's Hospital of MN - which I think is a worthy cause.  You can read the charity council review here.  However, I'll add a few reasons of my own:

-They provide funds to research medical ailments that specifically affect young children.
-Their physicians are trained to work with kids both in bedside manner and techniques
-They help to make the hospital experience less anxious for kids.

Also, as an added note, I thought I would share a little of my own personal experience here.  I grew up with an ample share of visits to the hospital.  None of my conditions were life threatening, which I'm fortunate enough to share, since that is not always the case.  Even still, hospitals felt like a big scary adult world where I did not get to make any of the calls.  Getting poked and prodded, going under anesthesia, waking up in another room, scary machines and unknown pain.  I did not have the ability to rationalize these behaviors in the same way an adult would, and would sometimes freak out about what was going on.  I'm thankful for the doctors and nurses along the way who were able to relate to children and make me feel less scared.  I'm happy that there is an organization that is committed to making kids feel more comfortable as they are going through these trials and naturally want to support such efforts.

Many years later I was actually a patient at Children's, when I wasn't as much a child anymore (late teens).  I have to say that the experience was really positive (all things considered) and that they really are well equipped to meet pediatric care needs.  For instance, one thing that doesn't get mentioned too often is that much of hospital life is very boring and you find yourself just waiting around for the next (usually painful) thing, which is just plain arduous in and of itself.  At children's they were able to provide movies and games to help with these slow times.  

I am hoping to raise $150 for the cause, and have already gotten $10 - Thanks to Alyse!  So, if you would, please consider joining her!  Gifts of all sizes are accepted.  Also, I would be happy to give anyone who contributes a shout out on the blog too.  

Click here:
http://heartbeat5000.kintera.org/rubyleigh

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