A pool for Cody - NYC Marathon 2016
Donation protected
My name is Amy Hofman, I'm 35 and I'm running the New York City Marathon to raise money for a pool for a very special, strong and determined young boy named Cody Skinner, who is unable to run, play sport or walk unaided due to a rare condition called Perthes' disease.
In January 2016 I set myself some personal fitness goals for the year. I would cut back on cocktails, change my lifestyle and start training, with a goal of running my first half marathon, and my first full marathon. I thought if anything is going to motivate me to run 42.2km, it's a trip to run the streets of New York - a lifelong dream destination that I'd been waiting for the right reason to vist!
Since then I've run three half marathons (21.1km), and a 10k race, including trips to Canberra and Melbourne to complete them. I also registered for some other events I couldn’t attempt due to injury...
A wise (runner) lady told me the hardest thing about a marathon is getting to the start line and my journey has been no exception... I was hit with ITB Syndrome (a common runners injury) when I began marathon training three months ago. This was not awesome timing, and cut into a good 6 weeks of my training.. BUT with a careful rehab plan I've managed to get back on track and while it's not ideal, I am determined to run the distance! Especially now I have found a cause that is close to my heart.
This whole experience got me thinking about how frustrating it was to want to run so badly, but feeling debilitated with pain every time I tried. Lucky for me this was just temporary, but for many people not as fortunate as me, this is something they have to live with long term, or forever. It got me thinking about young Cody.
Cody is the 6 year old son of a lovely colleague of mine, Joanne Davoren. While Jo is based in Newcastle and I'm in the CBD office, she has such a warm, honest and bubbly nature, that we bonded over many phone conversations that started off about work! During these chats I learned about Cody who was diagnosed with a rare condition called Perthes' disease at the tender age of 4.
Perthes' disease affects the head of the femur by limiting the blood supply to the area, causing it to deteriorate. At preschool, Cody experienced pain in his right leg to the point he was limping. It was a very long and traumatic process for all the family - seeing various doctors, numerous x-rays and unanswered questions before the condition was finally diagnosed. Cody was told to stop using his legs completely and instead rely on a paediatric wheelchair. He didn't complain, sat straight in that chair and started to learn how to manoeuvre it around.. quickly gaining super upper body strength with all the wheeling.
After diagnosis, Cody visited the hospital regularly for hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions and x-rays to check the progress. Jo tells me he loves hydrotherapy because the pool is a space where he can do absolutely anything as it is non weight-bearing. The pool was his saviour. His swimming also became much stronger because of his newfound “superhero” strength.
Cody has since endured major surgery, having his femur bone cut and pins and plate inserted to assist with his bone growing back in the right place... he now believes he has become a real life 'iron man.' :)
Jo describes Cody as having a warm, optimistic and loving personality, and a smile that quickly gathers you in. He’s a kid who finds a way to do anything. Despite not knowing if he will be able to walk unaided again, he doesn’t appear to see obstacles, and has continued to find ways to enjoy life and be a 'normal' kid, despite the setbacks that have been thrown at him. Personally, I think we can all learn from this.
Please help me raise money toward a backyard pool for Cody and his beautiful family, Mum - Jo, Dad - Mark and big sister Lily. Cody's story is an inspiration to me, and I am honoured to be devoting my first marathon to his cause.
Thank you so much!
x Amy
In January 2016 I set myself some personal fitness goals for the year. I would cut back on cocktails, change my lifestyle and start training, with a goal of running my first half marathon, and my first full marathon. I thought if anything is going to motivate me to run 42.2km, it's a trip to run the streets of New York - a lifelong dream destination that I'd been waiting for the right reason to vist!
Since then I've run three half marathons (21.1km), and a 10k race, including trips to Canberra and Melbourne to complete them. I also registered for some other events I couldn’t attempt due to injury...
A wise (runner) lady told me the hardest thing about a marathon is getting to the start line and my journey has been no exception... I was hit with ITB Syndrome (a common runners injury) when I began marathon training three months ago. This was not awesome timing, and cut into a good 6 weeks of my training.. BUT with a careful rehab plan I've managed to get back on track and while it's not ideal, I am determined to run the distance! Especially now I have found a cause that is close to my heart.
This whole experience got me thinking about how frustrating it was to want to run so badly, but feeling debilitated with pain every time I tried. Lucky for me this was just temporary, but for many people not as fortunate as me, this is something they have to live with long term, or forever. It got me thinking about young Cody.
Cody is the 6 year old son of a lovely colleague of mine, Joanne Davoren. While Jo is based in Newcastle and I'm in the CBD office, she has such a warm, honest and bubbly nature, that we bonded over many phone conversations that started off about work! During these chats I learned about Cody who was diagnosed with a rare condition called Perthes' disease at the tender age of 4.
Perthes' disease affects the head of the femur by limiting the blood supply to the area, causing it to deteriorate. At preschool, Cody experienced pain in his right leg to the point he was limping. It was a very long and traumatic process for all the family - seeing various doctors, numerous x-rays and unanswered questions before the condition was finally diagnosed. Cody was told to stop using his legs completely and instead rely on a paediatric wheelchair. He didn't complain, sat straight in that chair and started to learn how to manoeuvre it around.. quickly gaining super upper body strength with all the wheeling.
After diagnosis, Cody visited the hospital regularly for hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions and x-rays to check the progress. Jo tells me he loves hydrotherapy because the pool is a space where he can do absolutely anything as it is non weight-bearing. The pool was his saviour. His swimming also became much stronger because of his newfound “superhero” strength.
Cody has since endured major surgery, having his femur bone cut and pins and plate inserted to assist with his bone growing back in the right place... he now believes he has become a real life 'iron man.' :)
Jo describes Cody as having a warm, optimistic and loving personality, and a smile that quickly gathers you in. He’s a kid who finds a way to do anything. Despite not knowing if he will be able to walk unaided again, he doesn’t appear to see obstacles, and has continued to find ways to enjoy life and be a 'normal' kid, despite the setbacks that have been thrown at him. Personally, I think we can all learn from this.
Please help me raise money toward a backyard pool for Cody and his beautiful family, Mum - Jo, Dad - Mark and big sister Lily. Cody's story is an inspiration to me, and I am honoured to be devoting my first marathon to his cause.
Thank you so much!
x Amy
Organizer
Amy Hofman
Organizer
Redfern, NSW