I’m really excited to introduce you to my newest friend - his name is Hylan and he is 19 months old. Our friendship has been 5 months in the making, and it has been totally worth the wait. We haven’t actually met yet, but we share updates with each other a few times a week on Facebook and through Messenger with his mama. Hylan lives in Illinois with his mom and dad, and big sister Mia. He’s super sweet, laughs a lot and my little buddy brings so much happiness to everyone around him. Hylan was born with Down syndrome, but this little guy is nothing short of extra love and so much energy. So here’s the story of how Meg and Hylan became new found friends.
This is my buddy Hylan and just a few of his adorable expressions. All photos (c) Blessed by Hylan/Tacy Ann
Earlier this year I’d been following my friend Cheri on her adventures running for her little buddy named Silence, who was born with Spina Bifida. I was so curious about their friendship and how they met. Cheri was always posting photos of herself running races and doing those crazy November Project workouts - saying how she was doing it all for Silence. I had to know...and that’s how I discovered the I Run 4 family. Cheri and Silence were matched through a program called I Run for Michael, where athletes of all kinds and abilities – runners, walkers, yogis, triathletes, cross-fitters, body-builders, hikers, etc – are paired with children and adults with physical, mental, and developmental special-needs ranging from Down syndrome and Cerebral Palsy to Autism Spectrum disorders, to physical deformities and disorders like lost limbs and congenital organ disorders, to lesser-known disorders like AHC.
The idea is really simple - this isn’t about fundraising and it doesn’t cost a dime to be a part of the program. The I Run 4 program encourages friendships that inspire us to do something bigger than ourselves. It’s like having a pen pal in many ways. Both athletes and buddies have the chance to experience the real power of motivation and inspiration, finding support and encouragement through friends who were once perfect strangers. The sport or activity can really be anything - just getting out and being active is all it takes. For many, it’s as easy as dedicating the miles you run for a regular workout or running a tough race just because you can, or any old workouts you feel like, you do it for your buddy. You can sweat with a purpose. It can also be about raising awareness for buddies with special needs, bringing attention to some of the rarest of conditions to those that might be more familiar on the spectrum.
And this all seemed like a no-brainer to me. I didn’t need to be convinced that this was a perfect reason to get even more excited about the running that I’m already doing and enjoying every day. So in June I applied for a buddy. I knew it could be a long wait - the group has gained some great demand from athletes, so much so that now there is anywhere from a 12- to 16-week wait to be matched with a buddy. The majority of the communication happens on the group’s Facebook page, so while I waited to be matched, I joined the I Run for Michael Facebook group and watched my newsfeed change dramatically. The messages and posts of encouragement are over the moon full of positivity. My newsfeed has changed drastically and so much for the better. Every day I see the most phenomenal words of encouragement and celebration to and from folks who were once mere strangers. And it’s not just from one buddy to another, everyone in the group gets involved to send well wishes on birthdays and major milestones - for buddies taking their first steps after stints of physical therapy, undergoing major surgeries, or just need some emotional support to get through a tough time. And it works both ways. The athletes receive so much encouragement and cheer to do what they can for those who can’t. Boy oh boy, was it all worth the wait!
So, on November 7 (5 months after applying for a buddy), just hours before heading to the start line for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in Disney World (more on that later), I received my confirmation email that I had been matched with little Hylan. And my heart exploded. Hylan’s mom Tacy Ann and I quickly began to message each other through Facebook to make introductions. I simply could not believe I was being matched on race day - already getting to dedicate my run to my brand new buddy. It was meant to be.
This was the first image of Hylan I saw when we (mom & I) connected on Facebook - already a Star Wars fan and the cutest lil Yoda you ever did see. I’m simply head over heels. (c) Blessed by Hylan
I was so fired up and ready for this race. I quickly added some flair to my already decked out attire, and couldn’t have been more proud to finally say I RUN 4 HYLAN!
Even Cheri and Kendra were sporting their I Run 4 flair. It’s such an amazing group to be a part of, and I’m so glad these ladies introduced me. We run for Silence, Hylan and Garrett!
Through our brief introductions I learned that Tacy Ann has made lots of connections through her journey with Hylan and it was one of those friends that got her connected with the I Run 4 group. And she thought, “what the heck! right?” - let’s see what this whole thing is all about. No one could have told them that Hylan would get his runner in just 4 days after signing up! They had expected it could take as long as 12 weeks, and that was totally ok. Tacy Ann told me she knows the quick match was meant to be and they are all excited to make me a part of their family! Heart explosion #2. I’m just smitten with this family already and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us!
And here’s the best part - Hylan is the one that I’m super proud of. He does a lot of work every day to be a big strong boy. Tacy Ann told me all about his therapies and development, and how hard Hylan works every day. He has 6 different therapies! He’s been doing physical therapy and developmental therapy since he was 6 weeks old, and now he does aquatic therapy, occupational therapy, speech and hearing therapy, too. He does all of these therapies once a week. Thanks to the Early Intervention program he has his developmental, physical and hearing therapies at home, but does his speech, occupational and aquatic therapies at their local hospital. Busy little guy! Hylan also wears hearing aids due to his on-going fight with hearing loss. When you consider that schedule and that he’s not even 2 years old, he’s really the super hero. He’s my hero. And so are his mom and dad, Tacy Ann and Jared.
Mom and dad both work busy jobs - Tacy Ann sells insurance for State Farm and Jared is a police officer in the state capital - and they keep Hylan and big sis Mia going with all of this activity. Dad teaches jiu jitsu and is a big movie fan, and mom does party planning on the side (something we have in common!) - I definitely like these guys already! They spend lots of quality time together and we even have another thing in common - getting into the Halloween spirit :) They are big Star Wars fans and from the looks of it they know how to have a good time.
Kylo Ren (dad), Storm Trooper (big sis Mia), Yoda (Hylan) & Princess Leia (mom) having a super Halloween! (c) Blessed by Hylan
So how do we keep in touch? Several times a week I post pictures and notes to the I Run for Michael Facebook group to let Hylan know about all the running and work outs I’m doing for him, and how inspired I am by him and his family. I’ll post photos of the things I see on my run, or of me when I’m finished with my exercise. Mom posts on Hylan’s behalf (until he’s big enough to use Facebook himself ;] ) and let’s me know how well he’s doing in therapy and about the fun things they are doing as a family. It’s extremely motivating for me, and keeps me pushing myself to do my best for him.
In the few short weeks that we’ve been matched I’ve run two races, walked over 258,000 steps (thanks FitBit), climbed 61 sections at Harvard Stadium with November Project, run over 30 miles, gone for some super fun spin classes and really stretchy yoga and it keeps going. Of course I love to work out regardless, but working out with a greater purpose is so fulfilling.
Ran a personal best (PR) at last week’s Gobble Gobble Gobble 4-miler on Thanksgiving Day. Running for Hylan makes me FAST!
And this is only the beginning. I’m just getting to know Hylan and his family and looking forward to a long and very happy friendship. There are many miles to achieve, races to tackle, energy to burn and all for Hylan! Mom says he’s super close to walking and I can’t wait to see some of those first steps as they share those big milestones with me and all of Hylan’s fans.
So here’s to the road ahead and many happy miles to come. I Run 4 Hylan!
If you’d like to learn more about Hylan, you can follow his story on Facebook: Blessed by Hylan
And you can learn more about the I Run 4 program and its projects at http://www.whoirun4.com/
