Running for S.O.D.A.

Growing up I was always thankful to be healthy, athletic, and involved in organized sport. It wasn’t until I travelled to India a couple of years ago that I realized how truly fortunate I was. My wife Julie travelled to Koppal India as part of her physiotherapy program. I met her in Bangalore where she filled me in on the many disabled children she worked with. These children struggled to sit, stand and walk due to various conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, West Syndrome, and Polio. Through collaboration with the NGO Julie worked with, these kids were striving to achieve the goals so many of us take for granted - mobility, independence, and education.

In honour of these children's hard work, and to raise further funds to supply children with resources such as physiotherapy, orthotics, mobility aids, and family education, I will be running in this year's Badwater 135 Ultramarathon. This race is 135 miles long (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA in temperatures up to 130F (55C). The Badwater course covers three mountain ranges for a total elevation of 13,000 feet (3962m0. It is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet.

All funds raised will go to the Canadian charity S.O.D.A., started by a physiotherapist in British Columbia named Hilary Crowley (Julie’s Supervisor). She has returned to this same area of India for the past 15 years. You can get further information at www.samuha.ca and be confident that 100% of the funds go directly to those in need of rehabilitation. Hilary returns annually to ensure their proper distribution.

If you are interested in donating please email me at alex_lalonde@msn.com or donate directly on the website. All donations above $10.00 are eligible for a tax receipt.

 

My wife Julie working with children with various abilities in rural India. All this was made possible by the Canadian charity S.O.D.A.

Many thanks