“Guides have given me the opportunity to fulfill my passion of running, for without their kindness there would be no running. They have also provided me with encouragement, motivation, and inspiration to push myself beyond what I thought I could do, and without those guides, I would never have had the opportunity to run a great marathon like Boston!”

“Every day of my running life, I thank my many running guides. Without them, my running would be a solitary slog on a treadmill. With them, running is a chance to make new friends, to race, to be a part of a great community, and to laugh, cry, and learn about people I would never have met without sport. In short, because of my guides, running brings joy and freedom.”

Since going blind, I've looked for a way to push myself physically while staying safe. About a half-mile into my first run with a guide I knew I'd found it! I've gained speed an endurance like anyone who has trained, but more importantly, I've found a greater confidence in and respect for myself.

"Running for a cause has put new meaning into running. If you're a runner, you know what it means to feel the wind in your face, and hear your shoes hit the ground. Guiding a visually impaired runner shares the freedom running brings. Your eyes are all a visually impaired runner needs. Sharing the Boston Marathon with a visually impaired runner is one of the highlights of my running career. It wasn't about what I could do for her, but what she did for me. I'll never forget it.”