2025 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend - Team Hope Story

I have had the honor and privilege of working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the public schools since 1996. The best parts of my job are having fun with the children and watching them explore, learn, and grow. The most difficult part of my job has been the realization that most families are rarely provided with the education and support to help them navigate the challenges presented with many diagnoses.  That is why I am thrilled to be partnering with Hope Story! Hope Story exists to give support, encouragement, and hope to parents whose child has received a Down Syndrome diagnosis.  These families are then able to use their stories to bring hope to others.  Hope Story also provides free resources to the medical community to help doctors deliver a Down Syndrome diagnosis.

Wait - where does the partnership come in to this story, you ask??  Rather late in life I took up the hobby of running. I have completed many 5Ks, some 10Ks, a bunch of half marathons, and even the Dopey Challenge which consists of a 5K, a 10K, a half marathon, and a full marathon on four consecutive days.  I’ll add that up for you…it’s a total of 48.6 miles!!! I am not fast, but I am blessed with a body that is healthy and able to go the distances. As part of my latest quest, I will be participating in the 2025 Disney Half Marathon Fairytale Challenge. This means in February we will run a 10K one day and a half marathon the next. And yes, the best part is that these runs are at DisneyWorld! I am part of a crazy tribe of runners who enjoy these challenges and dressing in costumes to boot.  I have decided to raise money for Hope Story as a part of my journey.

Over the next 9 months I’ll keep you updated on my training and offer a variety of ways to entice you to donate to Hope Story.  My goal is to raise $2000.

Are YOU interested in running with Team Hope Story at Disney World, Disneyland, or New York City with Hope Story? Click here to join our charity running Facebook Group to stay in the loop about future running opportunities through Hope Story.

Are you interested in learning more?  Visit http://hopestory.org and stay connected to us by signing up for our email updates by visiting this link: https://mailchi.mp/hopestory/sign-up

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