Running for Karson — Every Mile Tells His Story
Campaign Story
My son Karson doesn’t need words to light up a room. He never has.
He’ll grab your hand and place it on his heart. He’ll look at you with eyes that hold more warmth than most people express in a lifetime. He communicates through pointing, through sign language, through a language all his own — one our family is learning and growing into
every single day. Karson is non-verbal and autistic, and he is without question one of the most loving, kind human beings I have ever known.
Karson doesn’t speak in sentences yet. But he speaks in truth. And what he tells us — through every gesture, every smile, every moment of connection — is that he is here, he is present, and he has so much to give this world.
Why I’m Running
I’m a runner. I’ve always found clarity on the road — in the early mornings before the house wakes up, in the miles that burn and the ones that flow easy. Running has been my outlet, my discipline, my space to think.
This year, I decided those miles needed a bigger purpose.
For every $10 donated, I will run 1 mile — working toward an initial goal of 200 miles to raise $2,000. But this campaign doesn’t stop there. Every dollar raised beyond that goal keeps this mission moving forward, because Karson’s journey doesn’t have an endpoint — and neither does our commitment to him.
The Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon — April 26th
On April 26th, I will be lining up at the start of the Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon — and every single one of those 26.2 miles will be dedicated to Karson.
Mile by mile, stride by stride, this race is for him. When my legs are tired and the finish line feels far away, I’ll think about what Karson works through every single day — the effort it takes to communicate, to connect, to grow — and I’ll keep moving.
I hope you’ll be cheering us on — whether you’re on the course in Kalamazoo or following along from wherever you are in the world.
Our Goal: Reach $2,000 by Karson’s Birthday
We have a dream finish line beyond the marathon: raising our full $2,000 goal by the end of May — in honor of Karson’s birthday. There is no better gift we could give him than knowing his community showed up for him in a big way.
And once we hit that goal? We keep going. This campaign will remain open because the need doesn’t stop — therapy bills don’t pause, research moves forward, and Karson’s classroom deserves continued support. Every dollar beyond $2,000 goes right back into
these same two areas.
What Your Donation Does
This campaign raises funds with a clear and transparent breakdown:
- Karson’s Therapy & Evidence-Based Research (85%) — ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy are transforming what’s possible for Karson. This portion also supports evidence-based testing and access to new and emerging research therapies. These sessions are expensive, time-intensive, and absolutely essential to his development and quality of life.
- Karson’s School Classroom (15%) — Karson will be starting public school this coming year — a huge milestone. A portion of funds will go directly to his classroom to support the resources, tools, and environment that will help him thrive in that next chapter.
Who Karson Is
He is joy in motion. He finds delight in the smallest things and shares it freely. He reaches out for hugs unprompted. He has figured out exactly how to get what he wants — with a point, a look, a tug on your sleeve — and somehow makes you feel like you were the one who came up with the idea.
He communicates with basic sign language, through pointing with purpose, and with the help of an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device — a tool that is opening up new ways for him to express himself and connect with the world around him. He has a whole world inside him, and every day we get to understand a little more of it. Every day, he teaches us.
He is learning. Every single day. And so are we.
Karson is proof that communication is so much bigger than words. That love doesn’t need language. That strength comes in forms we don’t always expect.
Join Us
You don’t have to run a single mile. But with your support, I will.
Help us reach $2,000 by the end of May — in honor of Karson’s birthday. Whether you give $10 or $100, you’re adding miles to this journey and real resources to his life. And every dollar raised after that goal keeps the mission alive.
Donate. Share. Cheer us on at the Kalamazoo Marathon on April 26th.
Every mile. Every dollar. For Karson.
Follow along on Facebook to watch the miles add up in real time. Updates posted regularly — including race day coverage from Kalamazoo. Thank you for being part of this.