CP 5K 2023

So it’s that time of the year for me. Since the first 5k in 2017, I’ve looked forward to each one. I try to do what I can for a place and program that had done wonders for me and countless others over the years. But the annual 5k pushes me even more.As most of you know, I attended the Cerebral Palsy center in Roosevelt for Pre-k and Kindergarten. Although I don’t have CP, I have a bunch of other disabilities that were and still are a struggle for me. Back then there wasn’t many places or programs for people with any type of disabilities. So that’s where my parents ended up enrolling me, in hopes they’d be able to handle my many special and specific needs.I’ve always said and still feel that the CP Center was instrumental in my early development. The daily physical, occupational and speech therapy were so beneficial for me. All the accesible things from the bathrooms to the pool out back with a ramp during summer camps I attended. The playground that had hand bikes and other accesible equipment and activities. That same playground got a total renovation back in 2017 by the donations from this same 5k and lots of all your generous donations.Everything seemed so inclusive there back then. None of us felt any different. They created an environment that was just so loving for all of us. At least that’s how I felt. I hadn’t really experienced much outside of there yet. My first exposure to music, sports, art, and everything educational was provided there. It was there that I flourished enough for them to mainstream me into Freeport public schools. Which put me on the path to being able to participate in life and achieve everything else that I set myself out to achieve in my future.I have so much more to say about the CP Center and all they did for me and countless other children and adults who have attended there. A lot of its resources are privately funded and through fundraising events like this 5k. They basically lost a whole year of fundraising during Covid. I’ll end here for now by just asking for anyone to try to give whatever you can to this amazing place. I know there’s many charity’s out there and many that are near and dear to all of our hearts. This is obviously the one that means the most to me for many reasons and it’s more of a local one. Let’s try to ensure it stays open and properly staffed to continue to provide everything it has over the decades to the community.I’m a daily reminder to myself of what this place has done for me. That’s why I’ll always support them and their mission. They’ve helped me and countless others for decades now. Here’s a video I made to describe to the world as best I can my journey called life. From my earliest days at the CP center to today. I try to live and not just exist. It’s not always easy. When I can’t do something I feel excluded and just existing on the sidelines watching others live. But as often as possible, even if it’s usually not a great idea and I’ll be paying for it one way or another, I’ll do my utmost to participate in whatever’s going on. So I can feel alive and know that I’m living and not just existing in this life. This 5k is just one more example of that. For myself but to also give all those kids there every opportunity that I was given. So please help me do that for them and their families. Here’s the link to donate or sign up to walk with me 11/19🚶🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️👨🏻‍🦽🏅♿️