Run for Ability: Support Theo’s Marathon Journey to Empower Sheltering Arms Patients!

Throughout the summer, I’ve ran nearly 400 miles training for my goal to complete the Richmond Marathon on November 16. It has been a goal of mine to run and finish this race since I first moved to Richmond in June 2022 and immersed myself within the local running community. While my training has pushed me to the limit, I feel blessed that I can put one foot in front of the other without much effort or thought.

This past May, my dear friend and professional mentor Michael Jarvis introduced me to the Sheltering Arms Institute (“SAI”) by way of a fundraising event sponsored by the organization. SAI is an inpatient rehabilitation hospital based in Virginia serving patients across the country who have experienced a traumatic injury or illness, such as a brain or spinal cord injury. At the event, I was fortunate enough to meet Kyle Amey, Major Gifts Development Officer for SAI. Hearing both Michael (a director of the Board for the Foundation) and Kyle speak to their passion for SAI moved me; I had to learn more.

In June, I visited SAI’s newest state-of-the-science inpatient hospital in Richmond and was provided a tour through the kindness of Mac McElroy (Foundation President) and Kelly Merricks (Foundation Vice President). While there, I witnessed people mustering every ounce of courage and energy simply to take a few steps, often with the help of body weight support technology or a robotic exoskeleton and a team of therapists. Some of these patients were my age or younger. They were runners, gymnasts, cyclists as well as cancer and stroke survivors.

Following my SAI tour, I have decided to celebrate my ability to run by dedicating my marathon experience to SAI’s patients and their families. Please join me by donating to Sheltering Arms Foundation to support the Margin of Excellence which has helped them become the top rehab hospital in Virginia and 19th in the country. YOUR support will help many people regain their function and independence to live a Life Beyond Limits.

Click here to learn more about the state-of-the-science technology used at SAI.

Thank you all for your support, Theo