I RAN 4 IRA & Friends
I Ran 4 Ira is a Family-friendly 5k Fun Run to help area youth get specialized therapy they need to succeed and improve their quality of life.
Proceeds will not only go towards helping Iralyn Hamilton attend year round intense physical therapy, but will also go towards other children with their own specific therapy needs. Read more about Iralyn and the other children I Ran 4 Ira has helped below...
Not a runner? You can also help by attending the delicious pancake breakfast held at Seville Country Club after the run.
I RAN 4 IRA will be held SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022 at Seville Country Club from 8:00-10:00am.
ABOUT IRALYN
Iralyn was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of one. When she was 3, she took her very first step independently without a walker. Since attending the VIP NeuroRehabilitation Center in California for 3 weeks in 2013, 4 weeks in 2015 and 2016 and the 3 weeks in 2017 and 2018, she has gotten stronger and stronger and can walk a good distance independently, walk up 5 steps, and even jump for the first time about an inch off the ground! She has made amazing progress in her physical abilities and endurance and for the first time is able to run a little! These are significant milestones that we never thought possible until attending VIP Neurorehabilitation. She doesn't let anything get in her way and is determined to not let cerebral palsy keep her down. The rehabilitation center provides hours of intense therapy every day with the use of special machines like the Lokomat and Giger that track her every move with robotic legs, sensors, and treadmills. She also focuses daily on her balance, coordination, stretching, strength, and endurance. These intense hours on a daily basis help her tremendously achieve all that she can, and in doing so inspire others who have CP. or any other condition that prohibits them in any way.
Additional Information on the VIP NeuroRehabilitation Center: www.vipneurorehab.com
MADI SCHULTZ
ANDREW BURKHART
ANDREW BURKHART
This gorgeous girl is Madi Schultz, seen here with a very special friend, her diabetic alert dog, Dakota. Madi was able to get Dakota in part because of a grant from funds raised at the 2017 Iran4Ira 5k.
When she was in 6th grade Madi was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, an extremely dangerous disease in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, resulting in life threatening blood sugar levels. In addition, Madi was also diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia, (POTS) a syndrome that can cause dizziness when standing, accelerated heart rates, fatigue, brain fog and more. This meant that not only was Madi in danger because of her Type 1 diabetes, she was in also in danger of not being able to help herself and get juice to stabilize her blood sugar levels.
But because Madi now has Dakota, she and her family are able to sleep better knowing Dakota will not only detect the chemical changes in Madi's body before they drop to dangerous levels, Dakota can also be trained to get Madi juice if she is not able to stand to get it on her own.
ANDREW BURKHART
ANDREW BURKHART
ANDREW BURKHART
This smiling guy's name is Andrew Burkhart. Like Ira, Andrew has cerebral palsy and is in constant need of therapy to help push his body to reach developmental goals that children without his diagnosis achieve on their own. Many of these therapies are not covered by insurance.
Because of our community's support and participation in last year's IRan4Ira 5k Fun Run, Inspire & Achieve was able to provide Andrew with a grant for 13 sessions of therapy using the Anat Baniel Neuromovement Method. This method is used to help Andrew create new mind/body connections so that he can reach more goals than ever before.
MARCUS KEAN
ANDREW BURKHART
MARCUS KEAN
Meet Marcus Kean, seen here pictured with his parents and sisters. Marcus was born with Noonan’s Syndrome. Noonan’s Syndrome presents itself in many ways, and for Marcus one of the symptoms was poor vision. An elementary student, he had a difficult time during recess or PE, where he would often not be able to participate because of double vision and problems with depth perception.
Unfortunately, this greatly affected his confidence and self-esteem as well.
But because he received a grant through Inspire & Achieve’s IRan4Ira 5k, Marcus received specialized therapy that has strengthened his eyesight enough to participate in these everyday activities most of us take for granted. And it has given him a whole lot of confidence to boot.