Sara's Marathon Medal

Sara is my cousin. She was born with a severe case Tuberous Sclerosis. It is a genetic disease that disables here for walking, talking and she has seizures on a regular basis. I have watched from afar their lives and what they have done to provide Sara with the most comfortable and 'regular' life as possible. They have displayed so much courage, patience and love with Sara. Sara, too, is strong. She attended public high school as she can communicate some through eye contact and a few years ago, her brother took her to prom.

When i first started running and considered doing a marathon, i was so excited of the thought of earning a marathon medal. I even considered framing it of some sort as i have seen so many other casual runners do so to immortalize their run. After joining M4M, i was quite conflicted with what i would do with my marathon medal.... i thought about "just keeping the first one for myself" and then start donating... I will admit i held onto it for a few months and then decided that I could not be a part of M4M if i wasn't willing to participate myself. So, i choose the most honorable recipient i knew, Sara.

I am so happy i gave Sara my medal, she deserved it more than i... i would like to share a few comments my aunt wrote upon receiving the medal.

Now that you're a mom, you know how proud you are of your child, and you want everyone else to notice as well. I have never stopped feeling that way for ALL THREE of our kids. The guys are always appreciated, but so often, Sara goes unnoticed, and I hurt for her. She's so uniquely gifted with multiple talents all her own; I just "glow" inside when someone else recognizes her for who she is. You have always had a special place for Sara. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

For Bethany

M4M Central Illinois presented a finisher's medal to 11-year old Bethany Beeson of Pana, IL on October 19, 2009. Bethany was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) on April 9, 2009. It began as a small lump in her thigh and grew much larger within 4 weeks. Bethany has faced many hard times the past seven months. The chemo has made her sick, her hair has fallen out and her appetite reduced which has led to weight loss. Still, Bethany has been very positive and upbeat. The St. John's nurses and doctors all say she is a wonderfull patient. She never complains, even when the nurses wake her to check vitals in the middle of the night. Bethany decided she would cut her hair prior to starting chemotherapy and donate it (20") to 'Locks of Love.' Vannessa Tinkous, St. John's Child Life Specialist, said " she was havng a rough day, found out she needed a blood transfussion and was just feeling down. She was very excited and thankful for the medal and grandma said it was the first time she had smiled all day."

Impromptu Opportunity!

I have been "cold-calling" local organizations that i though M4M would be a great fit for. This past week, i called Misericoridia. "Misericordia is proud to support 550 children and adults with mild to profound developmental disabilities from all racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. Misericordia has a wide range of programs on our campus and in the community at-large to meet the diverse needs of persons with developmental disabilities."

They called me the following day and said they were hosting a swim meet and didn't really have any recognition items to give out after the race. Last year, they went to the dollar store (due to budget) and got little paper medals. I was so excited and went down the following day and delivered medals to them. The director informed me that all of the participates in the swim meet were wheelchair bound. Even the paper medals they got last year, they wore for weeks as trophies are too hard to transport with. She was so excited and thought they would be wearing our M4M medals for months.

I felt like this was a great organization to team up with b/c individuals with mental health issues are so many times overlooked and made fun of without people realizing it. The "R" word is used too easily in our society and that word hurts. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Misericorida and look forward to teaming up with them during the Special Olympics.

Medal for Logan

Logan's mother heard about Medals4Mettle and contacted me about Logan receiving one. He is battling Leukemia while still trying to remain as active as possible (baseball, soccer) while balancing that between treatments. Although he had an up and down summer, he is doing great now and calls the medal he received from M4M " his super hero medal!!" Stay Strong Logan!!

Adam Carter is first Medals4Mettle Central Illinois Recipient

On September 14, 2009 Adam Carter was presented with the first medal from the newly formed Medals4Mettle (M4M) Central Illinios chapter. Adam is an 11 year old boy from Decatur, IL battling cancer. His story is chronicled online at http://www.helpadamfightcancer.com/.

The entire Carter family, Springfield Running Center, several media outlets and St. John's Children's Hosptial staff attended the presentation.

Thanks to everyone involved including the State Journal Register and WAND 17 for covering the presentation. M4M Central Illinois is off and running! Thanks Again!! scott

Joining Forces

This will now be the blog for both Illinois Chapters (Chicago and Central Illinois). I am excited for more people to post on the site... and hopefully have some more traffic in the process!

Welcome Scott and Central Illinois

Some Feedback from our Legacy Cards

Question:
Why did you decide to donate medals to M4M?

- I think the program is amazing and what these people go through is far more challenging thank anything I have gone through. They inspire me to be a better person!

-Although i worked hard to earn them, those who will ultimately receive them through M4M deserve them much more for their hard work through their challenges.

- The article in Runners World inspired me. As much as I like these medals, they will happily be even more appreciated by someone else whose earned them in a different way... and who deserve them more than i

Medals for Mettle in Chicago... in the news

so, i was google-ing my name and M4M as i had a moment of being too lazy to log into my blog... and found this article!

http://www.examiner.com/x-560-Running-Examiner~y2009m6d25-Donate-those-unwanted-running-medals

Medal to Gavin

Gavin is the sweetest boy. He is the middle of 5 children and has such a sweet spirit. Early in his development, he was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Non-Specified) (PDD) and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). PDD has similar features of autism and SPD is when the "sensory signals do not get organized with the appropriate responses." This can lead with difficulty with speech and social isolation. Sadly, sometimes these conditions can go un-acknowledged.

Gavin is a fighter... along with his parents. Balancing 5 children along with assuring Gavin and the other's specific needs are met... is amazing and a feat within itself! I wanted Gavin to have one of my medals b/c i wanted him to know to NEVER give up.

I was watching The Spirit of The Marathon the other day and one of the people said... "some people run marathons to compete in them and other run them to COMPLETE them"....

i think that is true for life too. Here's to Gavin! Go Get 'Em!!!!

"Let freedom never perish in your hands." ~Joseph Addison

We had another medal drop for Medals4Mettle at the Chicago VA Hospital July 4th weekend. It was an amazing experience as i was able to work with a wonderful family whose boys collected the medals for their Mitzvah Project. The VA identified four in-patients (all women veterans) whom they wanted to receive a medal. It really was touching and the boys did great! I am so thankful for all the men and women who have served and are serving our country. Their sacrifice is greatly appreciated and i hope they felt that today with their medals.

M4M in Action

This week, i feel like i officially began with Medals4Mettle. Although I have been collecting medals and corresponding, i have not yet been able to get out into the 'action' till this week.

Children's Memorial Hospital is the 'only freestanding hospital exclusively for kids and is ranked #1 in almost every major pediatric specialty.' M4M has donated medals to them in the past and I will able to reconnect with them to donate some more medals to deserving children.

The hospital's radiology department has really enjoyed the medals and gives them to children who require sedation for tests or need long MRI's. Terri told me that knowing their is a medal when they done is an amazing source of motivation to be brave and proceed with the test.

Well, we are on our way!!! Next Stop: North Chicago VA

**** if you are interested in assisting, please email me

Welcome

This blog has been created to let you know of local events going on for Medals4Mettle in the Chicago Area. Please read our mission statement to the right and contact us if you are interested in getting involved and giving back!!