I have been an avid runner for as long as I can remember. I completed my first road race at age 5 and my first triathlon at age 7. However, I did not realize how vital of a role running played in my life until high school. My high school cross country coach was an incredible role model for me and continues to be so today. He taught me what running was truly about. Over the years running has taught me dedication, determination, and drive. My coach used to say "There is no finish line. Running is not a race. It is a life long journey". I did not truly understand what he meant by this until my team went to watch the Chicago Marathon during my sophmore year. He told us after the race that he was taking us to hear a motivational speaker who exemplified everything that running stood for. And that is the day that I heard Marla Runyan's story.
Marla Runyan was the first legally blind runner to qualify for the Olympics. She not only qualified, but she placed 8th in the 1500m in the Sydney Olympics. Although she did not walk away with the gold, she calls this a huge victory because she proved to everyone that her vision was not a barrier. When Marla was nine years old, she was diagnosed with Stargardt's disease which is an irreversible form of macular degeneration. Her doctor told her that her diagnosis would have huge ramifications on her lifestyle. He told her parents that her grades would slip and that she would not be able to compete in sports the way she wanted to. Marla and her parents did not listen. Marla says that it was her doctors attitude the gave her the fire to go after her goals and to not let her disability inhibit her journey. Not only did Marla keep up her grades, but she went on to college and got her masters in teaching children who are deaf and blind.
Marla said the running changed her life. She describes running as the only time where she felt just as good as everyone else. Running served as her way to prove to society that her disability was not a limitation. She described how hard it was to grow up in a society where expectations for her where based on perceived abilities. Marla is proud to be legally blind and considers it one of her best characteristics. While other runners focus on the clock, their competitors, and the distance to the finish line, Marla only focuses on running the best that she can. For Marla there is no finish line. She does not consider 1st place a victory. She considers proving society wrong a victory and that is what she tries to achieve with each race. She wanted to show people that a negative attitude was more of a disability than her blindness. One of my favorite quotes of hers is "disability does not preclude excellence".
I consider Marla a huge inspiration. She climbed over obstacles larger than most people face in their lifetime. Marla uses her running to better the world for individuals like herself. I hope to someday be able to use my running to have an impact on society in the way that Marla did.
Link to interview with Marla: http://www.visionlossresources.org/blog/interview-with-marla-runyan-first-blind-olympic-athlete-and-teacher-at-perkins-school-for-the-blind
Marla Runyan was the first legally blind runner to qualify for the Olympics. She not only qualified, but she placed 8th in the 1500m in the Sydney Olympics. Although she did not walk away with the gold, she calls this a huge victory because she proved to everyone that her vision was not a barrier. When Marla was nine years old, she was diagnosed with Stargardt's disease which is an irreversible form of macular degeneration. Her doctor told her that her diagnosis would have huge ramifications on her lifestyle. He told her parents that her grades would slip and that she would not be able to compete in sports the way she wanted to. Marla and her parents did not listen. Marla says that it was her doctors attitude the gave her the fire to go after her goals and to not let her disability inhibit her journey. Not only did Marla keep up her grades, but she went on to college and got her masters in teaching children who are deaf and blind.
Marla said the running changed her life. She describes running as the only time where she felt just as good as everyone else. Running served as her way to prove to society that her disability was not a limitation. She described how hard it was to grow up in a society where expectations for her where based on perceived abilities. Marla is proud to be legally blind and considers it one of her best characteristics. While other runners focus on the clock, their competitors, and the distance to the finish line, Marla only focuses on running the best that she can. For Marla there is no finish line. She does not consider 1st place a victory. She considers proving society wrong a victory and that is what she tries to achieve with each race. She wanted to show people that a negative attitude was more of a disability than her blindness. One of my favorite quotes of hers is "disability does not preclude excellence".
I consider Marla a huge inspiration. She climbed over obstacles larger than most people face in their lifetime. Marla uses her running to better the world for individuals like herself. I hope to someday be able to use my running to have an impact on society in the way that Marla did.
Link to interview with Marla: http://www.visionlossresources.org/blog/interview-with-marla-runyan-first-blind-olympic-athlete-and-teacher-at-perkins-school-for-the-blind