It’s been almost a week, and I’m still blown away.
After the disaster that was the First Light Fun Run last month, I wasn’t sure Sarah Kate would be able to complete the Disney Kids 1-Mile, part of the Princess Half Marathon Weekend. In fact, “I wasn’t sure” is the understatement of the year – my level confidence she would be able to do it was approaching zero. I asked The Godfather (Mike), my friend Katie’s dad, if he would walk with us in case I needed help getting her back to the finish. Mike agreed, and suggested that he push the transport wheelchair that we always take with us to Disney alongside her – it could be Sarah Kate’s personal “sag wagon.”
The race began at 8:45 – fifteen minutes before park opening.
Mike pushed her to the start, and when the gun went off she stood up and started walking. She was dead last from the beginning, but she was moving pretty quickly – much better than at First Light – so I was cautiously optimistic. The course is mostly out-and-back from the parking lot into the backstage area then into Epcot, and we hadn’t even made it into the public portion of the park before the lead runners were coming back toward us.
Mike dutifully followed just behind and to the side of her, pushing the wheelchair, while I snapped photos and regularly checked RunKeeper on my phone to see what her pace was. She was holding between 18:00-19:00 per mile, which was amazing. As we made our way past, cast members extended a high-five; she slapped their hands as she went by, maintaining her steady pace.
As she approached the turnaround point at the entrance to World Showcase, she began to slow down. I noticed her left knee turning inward, and I began to worry. She was still moving, though, and she wasn’t complaining.
As we made our way past, cast members began collecting the cones behind us marking the course. By this time, Epcot had opened for the day and the first park guests were walking toward us. When she’d completed about two-thirds of the course, she asked me, with hesitation in her voice, “Momma, can I maybe not ride in the wheelchair, but push it?”
With the support of the wheelchair, she picked up the pace again.
The closer we got to the front of the park, the more cast members we saw, as they were strategically placed to assist the early-comers to Epcot. One man hurried over to her with a Minnie Mouse cap and placed it on her head as she went by. A few minutes later, a lady removed a small Goofy “Good Job!” medallion from around her own neck and placed it around Sarah Kate’s.
As we got close to the turn into the backstage area, a group of cast members clapped and called encouragement; their efforts did not go unnoticed by the park guests who had just arrived, and a small crowd gathered to watch and join in as she went by. We made our way backstage, and were joined by two cast members on bikes who would escort her through the rest of the park.
As we exited the gates, the finish area was mostly blocked from view, but we could hear the PA system, and the announcer, Carissa Bealert, saying something about a “special athlete” who was preparing to finish. We rounded the corner and the finish line came into view – I could see people watching and politely clapping. I asked Sarah Kate if she wanted me to take the wheelchair from her so she could finish without it, but she declined … and began to run instead.
A lady from runDisney ran up to me and asked her name. I had to raise my voice to a near-shout for her to understand me, and then she sprinted off toward the stage. Carissa Bealert announced Sarah Kate’s name and asked the crowd to give her some encouragement – I wish I could remember exactly what she said, but it’s all a little hazy. The polite clapping became an undeniable roar, and I looked to my left to see – as best I could through tears – that the entire grandstand was giving her a standing ovation.
If Sarah Kate noticed, she didn’t let on, and she continued running, pushing her chair toward the finish line, where Goofy waited in court jester attire to escort her through the purple archway.
She made it across, got a hug from Goofy himself (sometimes it pays to be last!), and climbed back into the wheelchair that had given her wings just a moment before. She had completed the course in 26 minutes – not her best time, but greatly improved from January, and she finished (Hallelujah!)2
A race volunteer placed her hard-earned medal around her neck, and as she posed for a few photos, I raced back down the finish straightaway to find Katie and Nathan for his 100 meter race.
I still don’t know how to describe what happened.
The morning began with eight of my wonderful ROTE friends – Janice, Niki, Dana, Megan, Jen, Jenny, Carrie, and Katie – giving Sarah Kate a Minnesota/surgery care package, complete with a knitted hat/scarf combo for the cold weather and a generous Amazon gift card for her Kindle (not to mention a little happy for Nathan and a generous Starbucks gift card for me). There is no better feeling in the world than to be loved – and to have your children loved – by friends.
I had no idea that an hour later, I’d be crying again, this time not because of the love of friends, but because of the collective encouragement of hundreds of strangers. But even that wasn’t the end of the story.
On Saturday afternoon, my sister texted me a screen shot of the status update of a lady in Atlanta. The woman is a friend of her sister-in-law who happened to be in the grandstand at the kids races on Friday morning. At 9:18 a.m., just after Sarah Kate finished, she posted the photo below with the following caption: This young lady brought me to tears! If you do nothing else today take a stroll because you can! She just completed a mile!
As I was reviewing the photos from the race, I was surprised by how many of the spectators were photographing her with their cameras and phones. I can understand the clapping and cheering – some people wanted to do it, and some others joined in, like people do, because everyone else was doing it. But what motivated strangers to record the moment and take it with them?
I don’t have an answer, and I’d bet the answer isn’t a simple one. Marathons (and half marathons) are about overcoming challenges – reaching for a goal that seems unattainable. Disney is a favorite destination for first-timers and the Friday events draw a lot of families. I believe many of these people saw Sarah Kate as a symbol of the road they had traveled to get where they were, with The Main Event coming up on Sunday.
I can’t tell you how awesome it was to be in the stands watching for her. When we finally spotted your bright shirt, we all started screaming and the crowds around us got into it. And then, when Carissa announced her name… wow. What a cool moment. There were tears everywhere.
Exactly what Megan said. So glad to have been in those stands watching her, and honored to be friends with y’all. The tears are back as I’m reading, of course. Love y’all lots. 🙂
You don’t know me from Adam, but I wanted to share how much your story moved me. Through various social media sites, I had been hearing about the Most Awesome Kid in the World, and I was delighted to find your blog post this morning. What an amazing experience for Sarah Kate and kudos to you for being such a fantastic role model for your kids. I can’t wait to explore your blog further!
Props to Sarah Kate and to you. You made me smile on a cold, cloudy, feels like winter will never end day. Her heart and perseverance are awesome!
Wow, Andi, this post really made me cry happy tears on an otherwise dull, dreary Thursday morning. What a beautiful story, and it makes me so happy for you and SK!! And talk about runDisney at its absolute best!! Thank you so much for sharing this post with us!
GO SARAH KATE!! This is so great.
I have some mobility issues, and have been having a lot of conversations lately about “but if you’re disabled, how can you work and go on walks around town?” and other such things about having challenges that make things difficult, but not impossible, and still doing them. This is a great example of that; it’s inspiring to me because she takes on the challenge and follows through on something she wants to do.
It is really how to put into words how meaningful this post is. The kids races are something I have never seen, but this puts into perspective how special the races can be to all children and adults alike. Sending a huge cheer of congratulations to your amazing daughter Sarah Kate.
I have been truly blessed by reading this. Thank You Thank You
The minutes I saw this post pop up in my Facebook feed, I knew I couldn’t read it without grabbing some tissue first. Overwhelmed with just how great Sarah Kate is, and I cannot wait to see the great things she will do in life. So glad that you were able to get the glimpse into the spectators’ view!!
Andi,
I don’t usually comment on blog sites of people I don’t “know,” but wanted to tell you that this post brought me to tears (and I’m not an emotional person typically). I’m so happy for Sarah Kate (and you) that she was able to accomplish this goal after what happened in the last race and knowing that she may be facing surgery in the future. She truly is an inspiration to all–even those of us who have no plan to ever run a race in our lifetime!
S
I feel exactly the same way! I don’t know you other than from your blog, but as I was reading I kept saying to myself “please, l hope she finished the race!”
Thanks for sharing such an important moment in your lives.
I’m sitting at my desk eating lunch and reading with tears streaming down my face. Sarah Kate’s determination is so impressive – I can only hope my Claire has the same drive in life that she does!
I just want to say thank you for sharing this inspirational story. I am sharing this with my Soldiers and colleagues. She is truly amazing.
I love everything about this and it brought me to tears. So happy for SK!
I second Ann and Christian’s comments…so moving! Sarah Kate is an inspiration to us all.
My Ben better step it up so he is worthy of being SK’s future husband.
🙂
I am so glad to read this and learn more about your family! I was in the corals for the 100m dash with my youngest daughter, having finished the 5K earlier. We couldn’t see or quite make out what was happening, but I could hear enough of what the announcer was saying to understand there was a very special finisher coming down from the 1 mile run. I can even see the back of my husband’s head in that crowd from Naomi Strickland. Many blessings to your sweet family!
Darn if my hay fever didn’t start acting up causing watery eyes and a sniffle just when I was reading this Wonder story.
Thanks for sharing about the most wonderful girl in the World!!!
God Bless!
What a fantastic story! Congratulations to Miss Sarah Kate and may pixie dust carry her a million more miles! You go girl!!
I am a HUGE runDisney race fan. They celebrate the athlete in EVERYONE. Your story has moved me to tears, what a wonderful accomplishment for SK at such a magical place. Carissa is the best too. Way to go Sarah Kate!
Tears of happiness for Sarah Kate! She truly understands perseverance! Love to you all!
What a beautiful accounting of a special moment for an exceptional young lady who went the distance just like every other athlete out there. runDisney has always been exceptional for celebrating the efforts of all and embracing the fact that its not about the finish time, it’s about crossing the finish line! And of course the moment was handled with the import it deserved by fabulous Carissa Bealert, truly one of the finest sports hosts/ race announcers in the business!
Wow, I have tears running down my cheeks reading about Sarah Kate’s determination. That is one special little girl you have there. Sending hugs from Canada!!!!!
Andi, I am so happy that you shared your story. Seeing Sarah Kate cross that finish line was one of the most memorable moments of my 10 years with Run Disney. She brought many of us to tears in the marvelous way that only someone who is stronger than any of us will ever be can. Thank you for letting us all share the magic that is Sarah Kate for that morning. Congrats to her on a very successful mile run! We hope to see you all again soon!
Andi, with tears of joy… Reading this story was so wonderful!!! She is such a hard worker and is always determined to do her best… Every time!!! I love that sweet girl and the amazing willpower she has to literally finish the race. She is an inspiration for so many and will continue to do wonderful and inspiring things in her life. Please give her a HUGE hug from me!!! Love yall, Em
And that is what awesome looks like!!
This brought me to tears. Beautiful! <3 Congrats to SK for a job WELL DONE! 🙂
Andi I’m so happy to read your story. My 5 year old daughter and I had just finished the 5k earlier that morning and were waiting in the stands for the running of the 100 meter dash to watch my 2 year old daughter and their Dad run. Nobody in the stands expected to witness the inspiration that was saw that day. I can tell you not only were we all standing but there was not a single dry eye near me. Your daughter is such an inspiration to others and it was the most deeply moving thing I have seen in person in a long time. I would venture to say about 75% of the audience captured your daughter crossing the finish line.
What a beautiful telling of an inspirational accomplishment for SK! I felt like I was there cheering her on! Congrats!!
Absolutely wonderful xx
This is the most inspirational blog post I have ever read. You’ve raised an amazing little girl, and has shown more heart and courage than anyone else I’ve ever met.
<3
This popped up in my newsfeed on Facebook, and I wanted to say how awesome Sarah Kate is! (And your son as well). I don’t have CP, but I have central muscular hypotonia, and was told that I would never be an athlete. I have run 4 marathons now (2 at Disney!) and am a Dopey Challenge finisher. I think it’s so wonderful that your daughter is such a great athlete at such a young age.
What a great inspirational story!
This is just too lovely… Disney is the most magical place on earth, but I think your daughter may just be a magical inspiration to it as well. Congratulations and God Bless!
Typing through tears here. What a beautiful, heartwarming and inspirational story! Your daughter is truly amazing. So focused and determined, we could all take a lesson. And your pictures bring the whole event to life. (Thank goodness for auto-focus, hard to shoot with tears 🙂 )
I was in the stands last Friday! It was a fabulous moment to be a part of!
What an amazing story! Your daughter is such an inspiration !!!
I did Princess from 2011-2013, and we’re only switching to W&D in 2014 because my sister is expecting momentarily. Had we been there last weekend, my Dad would have run the 5K and we would have been in the stands to cheer your daughter on in person. Since circumstances prevented us from doing so, I wanted to let you know that one of my RunDisney friends shared your SarahKate’s story with our FB group of RunDisney addicts. We’re all so proud of her and are offering up our collective Jazz Hands (it’s a thing for us) in her honor!!!
Happy tears rolling down my face.
Another complete stranger here telling you what you already know…you and your daughter and your entire support structure is such an inspiration. I happen to be friends with Goofy, and he told me all about this amazing young lady he met that day. Lo and behold another of his friends shared this blog post this morning, and I am so much better for having read it. My wife ran her first half-marathon that weekend, overcoming her own obstacles, and I had just finished wiping away all the tears of joy from her accomplishment when I read this. Thank you for not only sharing this story, but for creating it.
Wow, Andi… What a beautiful accounting of another great accomplishment by Sarah Kate. The tears started flowing when you described how she started to run toward the finish, and haven’t stopped. You really do have an awesome kid there… Congrats to Sarah Kate!
What a sweet story! Your girl is beautiful, we missed the kids races this year and I’m so bummed. I would have loved to be there to cheer her on.
Congratulations on a wonderful race, Sarah Kate!
Tears of joy for Sarah Kate! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story with us. Your daughter is such an inspiration to everyone — you must be such a proud mama! Congrats to you both! <3
thanks for sharing, such an inspiration and I will remember this story every step I take.
Really a wonderful read. God Bless you for your positive and loving parenting! I can assure you that if Mr. Walt Disney had been there he would have picked her up and she would have been the leader in one of his parades on a FLOAT!!!
Way to go Sarah Kate!! There are so many that want to do what you did – but you DID IT!! Congrats and keep running!
What an inspiring story! Congrats on your victory, Sarah Kate!
I’m in a rabbit-hole of procrastination right now and honestly have NO idea how I wound up reading this post, but I’m glad I stumbled across it — it made me a blubbery mess, but it was so inspiring! 🙂
Errr, make that a BLUBBERING mess. Although I did just eat three sushi rolls and a creme donut so maybe that was a Freudian slip.
While checking my email here at work today, a fellow cast member here at Epcot forwarded your story to me. Your daughter’s will to take on the “world” has me thinking that there is no reason why I can’t do the same!! Such an inspiration!!! Thank you Sarah Kate!!!
I am a CM at WDW as well and avid RunDisney runner. Working a late night tonight, I got to reading Sarah Kate’s story, and she is truely an inspiration and a hero. All of us have limitations, some greater than others, but each and everyone of us has the ability to work past them and reach for our goals. One foot infront of the other Sarah Kate, that is all it takes 🙂 and you did it!
Oh my gosh!!! Love this! Was crying through the whole thing. How amazing!
I am one of those random strangers who watched your daughter cross the finish line! I work at Disney and was sent this blog article to read becuase my co-worker knew I had done the 1/2 marathon weekend. Us Disney Cast Members like reading touching Disney stories. Your daughter crossing the finish line was inspirational to me!! If she could do her mile; I could certainly finish the half on Sunday! Congrats to all! Great post! Hello from Orlando!
I am a Disney Cast Member who was just forwarded this story. Amazing! Inspirational and it brought me to tears. I also have Cerebral Palsy and reading more about your courage has brought back so many memories . Thanks for sharing . Congrats once again!
Patrick
Sarah Kate is a beautiful hero to overcome so much to experience that runDisney triumph. This story exemplifies what life is really about. It is wonderful that she is surrounded with incredible support from parents, family and friends and now your story will circulate to motivate others. This puts overcoming things into true perspective! Thank you for sharing such an inspirational story filled with courage, support and love! ♥
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters …
compared to what lies within us.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
I wouldn’t say she was an underdog. She’s the most bravest person running that race. She’s a winner, she’s someone we want to attain too. She’s a runner!
She is definitely not an underdog, she is AWESOME. She got out there and did something that not every kid gets out there to do. She is a testament to your parenting, and the confidence you have instilled in her. Keep encouraging her to reach for the stars and nurturing her “never give up” attitude!
Sarah is one of my friends, and even those who had never seen her before most likely agree with me when I say I’m proud of her!
Awesome job Sarah Kate! I love her AFOs too! They co-ordinate great with her shoes. Is she wearing them without socks? I could never do that
We added ribbon to the top straps to liven them up – cheap and easy! Yes, she is wearing socks, but the no-show style.