Aspen is 3 years old and a participant in HKRS – Williamsport, PA. Aspen was born with a lower limb deficiency, in medical terms called phocomelia. The cause was unknown, but one thing was for sure – nothing was going to stop her from running!
Mom Tasha explains, “We found HKRS through mutual friends whose kids have been participating for a couple of years. I was a little hesitant to sign Aspen up at first, not knowing what to expect, but then I remembered – running may be more challenging for Aspen, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t capable.”
HKRS is an inclusive youth running program and offers a Challenger Division at all races. The Challenger Division is an adaptive race for children with disabilities and/or special needs. This allows for parents, siblings, and friends to be on the course with runners to provide support as well as allow runners to use their own supportive devices, such as crutches, braces, and wheelchairs, that are safe on grass. Even though HKRS has a Challenger Division, Aspen chooses to run with her peers in the PreK 2/3 Year Old 50 Yard Dash, choosing to race without her prosthetic and use her forearm crutches.
“Watching her light up on race days doing something she loves has been so fun to watch! She has now been making everything a race at home – racing to the car, up the stairs, to the kitchen, you name it. HKRS has helped to build Aspen’s confidence in running, and for that I am so thankful. Kids truly are limitless!”
Avery Rezykowski is the Community Coordinator for the Williamsport program and was so inspired by Aspen’s story that she organized an “Orange Out” to raise awareness for limb loss and limb difference. Orange is the representative color for limb loss and limb difference, and on April 27th, runners and spectators showed up in orange to raise awareness and celebrate Aspen!
April was designated as Limb Loss & Limb Difference Awareness Month by the Amputee Coalition 14 years ago. The goal is to spend this month advocating for access to care and resources and celebrating the strength and resilience of those affected by limb loss and limb differences.
You can learn more about the HKRS Challenger Division here and The Amputee Coalition here. You can follow Aspen’s journey on her mom’s Instagram @bionicbabymama21
The post Runner Spotlight: Aspen, Williamsport, PA appeared first on Healthy Kids Running Series.
Source: healthykidsrunningseries.org