On April 21st 2014, I had made myself a promise to run Boston marathon some day! Today, more than 7 years later, I am proud to share that I have been accepted by Spaulding’s Boston Marathon team to run the 126th Boston Marathon on April 18th, 2022! For the awesome job they do everyday in helping rehabilitate 100s and 1000s of people recovering from or learning to live fully with — illness, injury and disability, I am raising money here. Please support my run by donating, by applauding this story or writing an encouraging note.
Why am I so passionate about Boston marathon? I am running Boston marathon for 3 reasons:
Ben Farrar (2015)
On April 19th 2015, my friend’s son Ben, met with an unfortunate accident in France while swimming with his friends, and broke his neck and sustained a cervical spinal cord injury. His world turned upside down in a flash. When he regained consciousness after 22 days, he found out that he had been left completely paralyzed and couldn’t move any part of his body.
Once back in Massachusetts, he started his rehabilitation journey with Spaulding. He kept strong and kept pushing the limits, trying to move his body, try to walk and try to be independent. This this year in May, he graduated from University of NH! Ben continues to inspire many individuals like me and I am so thrilled to be able to run Boston Marathon and raise money for Spaulding Rehabilitation Center which helped him get back to his life. Read Ben’s heart melting story here.
Boston Bombing (2013)
When Boston marathon bombing happened in 2013, I didn’t know much about marathons. I didn’t know what it takes to run a marathon, I didn’t even know how many miles a marathon is. I vividly remember me and wife sitting down together on April 19th (4 days after the bombing) glued to the tv, trying to get an update on the bombers, hugging two of our kids comforting them and assuring them that we have full faith in our law enforcement while they had cordoned Watertown in search of one of the bombers. By the time he was arrested, and Watertown folks were clapping and saluting the heroes, my kids had fallen asleep on our laps. That moment, Boston marathon had become an inseparable memory of my life.
City of Boston and the entire world stood next to Boston to make #BostonStrong again. Next year on April 19th 2014, I was in Kenmore Square, cheering for Boston marathon runners at mile 25. This is where I saw not only healthy and young runners but runners beyond 70 years of age, runners on wheel chair, blind runners, disabled runners all completing marathon. This opened up my eyes and I promised to myself, that one day, I will run Boston marathon in honor of the 4 lives we lost and 17 who lost their limb(s). Do read about Adrianne Haslet, my true inspiration, who is running Boston marathon this year.
My brother (2017)
I lost my brother in 2017. My brother had been my guardian since 1989. I have fond memories of us living together in Delhi away from our parents at young age where he took care of me like my dad. He made sure I had food on my table and made sure I had everything I needed for pursuing my education. During our time together in Delhi, we went through tough times, we went through good times, we laughed together, we sang together and we cried together. Every marathon I run will remind me how he taught me to be resilient and “never give up”. Every marathon I run will be dedicated to my brother!
Please support my fundraising for Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital’s Race for Rehab program here.
