Racing for Everyone - Tantasqua Community
Donation protected
Joshua and Paige became friends during fifth-grade science class. Paige looked forward to seeing him every day because his smile lit up the entire classroom. Before long, Josh would start seeking Paige out, and get annoyed if she didn’t come over to say hello immediately! Although Josh has a genetic disorder called MECP2 Duplication Syndrome, which makes it difficult for him to move around and communicate as a “typical” fifth-grader, it was clear that he loved being treated like “just one of the kids”.
A parent of one of Paige's friends noticed how well she and Joshua worked together during the fifth-grade science fair. She had previously seen runners push people in Team Hoyt Running Chairs (https://www.hoytrunningchairs.com/) during local races, and thought that Paige could push Joshua in a race.
The rest is history! Paige spent the summer practicing pushing a borrowed Team Hoyt Blade. She started with strength training, then advanced to pushing her (patient!) sister in the chair for practice. Finally, she felt ready to practice with Joshua. They both LOVED racing together!
Paige says that running together is one of her favorite hobbies because watching Joshua laugh as they go over bumps, dance to the music, and cheer when the crowds cheer for them is like nothing else she has ever experienced! Running races together with a Team Hoyt Blade chair fills both of their hearts with joy! They have run four races together, and hope to do many more.
Paige is a sixth-grader now, and she is working to raise money to purchase a Team Hoyt Blade that can be used by student runners throughout the Tantasqua/Union 61 school district to push their peers who may not be able to run by themselves in local races. Please consider making a donation of any size, or sharing this fundraising page, to help to make running local races a reality for all students in the district regardless of their mobility levels!
A parent of one of Paige's friends noticed how well she and Joshua worked together during the fifth-grade science fair. She had previously seen runners push people in Team Hoyt Running Chairs (https://www.hoytrunningchairs.com/) during local races, and thought that Paige could push Joshua in a race.
The rest is history! Paige spent the summer practicing pushing a borrowed Team Hoyt Blade. She started with strength training, then advanced to pushing her (patient!) sister in the chair for practice. Finally, she felt ready to practice with Joshua. They both LOVED racing together!
Paige says that running together is one of her favorite hobbies because watching Joshua laugh as they go over bumps, dance to the music, and cheer when the crowds cheer for them is like nothing else she has ever experienced! Running races together with a Team Hoyt Blade chair fills both of their hearts with joy! They have run four races together, and hope to do many more.
Paige is a sixth-grader now, and she is working to raise money to purchase a Team Hoyt Blade that can be used by student runners throughout the Tantasqua/Union 61 school district to push their peers who may not be able to run by themselves in local races. Please consider making a donation of any size, or sharing this fundraising page, to help to make running local races a reality for all students in the district regardless of their mobility levels!
Organizer
Bethany Runnals and Paige Spooner
Organizer
Sturbridge, MA