RFM 2011 event photos

You can now access all the photos from the Run for Mobility weekend!

The gallery includes photos taken at the Dine and Dash Dinner on Saturday night, at the Free Wheelchair Mission booth on race day, and photos taken of our FWM runners along the race course.

Click here to view event weekend photos

Ozzie: A mother remembered

Ozzie and his daughter at the Surf City Marathon

Meet Ozzie, a 3-year Run for Mobility runner, volunteer, and supporter.

Guest Speaker. In 2011, he was featured as a guest speaker at one of our first-time fundraiser workshops in Long Beach, sharing his experience and advice with new Run for Mobility participants.

Olympic Athlete. Ozzie is an avid runner. Not only has he run several 5k races over the years, he ran the 400 meter event for the Venezuelan Olympic team in 1980 and 1984. 

Fundraiser. He has raised over $20,000 for the Run for Mobility in the 3 years he has been involved. 

Ozzie's Story:

Running for Mobility resonates with him because he comes from a poor family in Venezuela. He describes that growing up they often had only rice and beans to eat for days in a row. In high school, he ran track and earned a scholarship to a US school. Most profoundly, his grandmother spent the last three years of her life in bed because she was unable to walk and the family could not afford the luxury of a wheelchair. Ozzie remembers this vividly and knows how much fuller her last years would have been had she not been robbed of her mobility. These experiences affected him so much that he now supports Free Wheelchair Mission by raising funds so we can give the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the world the opportunity for a better quality of life.
From enduring hardship as a child, to overcoming obstacles as a young adult, Ozzie has never given up. He has coached several sports over the years – from baseball to basketball and even acted as a coach/guide for the disabled track and field teams.

A message from Ozzie:

"My beloved mother tragically and unexpectedly passed away in July. Not only was she far too young, but she was my rock. She was very supportive of me and my involvement with the FWM organization. After all, it was my mother who first inspired me. She attended every race. She ‘redesigned’ the FWM participant T-shirt I wore making it more suitable for running. this is my third year running for the Run for Mobility."

400 m Olympics - 1980s

In the jersey his mother redesigned

FWM Run Staff: Ashley & Ariel

Meet your Run for Mobility 2011 staff - Ashley and Ariel!

(Or as they're known around the office, A² , or the A-Team!) 

Ashley's Story

Vietnam Distribution

Ashley Herron, events manager, has been with Free Wheelchair Mission since 2007.  In that time, she has worked with hundreds of R4M runners as well as individuals and groups around the country.  She says of her involvement with FWM, “From the first time from the first time I watched videos on the website, I knew that I had to be involved with this organization, whether as a volunteer or staff member.  The mission captured my heart at that moment.”  She was blessed to travel to Vietnam in 2010 to distribute wheelchairs. 

Ariel's Story

Up and Running

"I joined Free Wheelchair Mission as the Run for Mobility Coordinator in July 2011. I’ve had the pleasure of working with all kinds of athletes leading up to race weekend, and have loved every minute related to planning and running this event!

I have a background in special events and athletic fundraising, and was thrilled to join the FWM team. I also have a deep personal connection to running. In 2007, I was in a car accident that resulted in the amputation of my right leg below the knee. I ran track in high school, and was determined to get back on my feet again. After months of rehabilitation simply learning to walk again, I finally received my first running prosthesis and took off. It was the most incredible moment of my life - I will treasure it forever. Since then, I've participated in several 5K races, and competed in some track events in Oklahoma, and even trained at the USA Olympic training center in Chula Vista, CA with the US Paralympic Track Coach! I know firsthand what it's like to be in a wheelchair and to feel like you can't take care of yourself. I feel so blessed to have access to the medical care and prosthetic technology that allow me to live my life independently, and so glad to be a part of an organization so close to my heart."

Volunteer Spotlight: Official Free Wheelchair Mission Water Station - CSULB Financial Association

The CSULB group

Meet the CSULB Financial Management Association students who volunteered to help us out on race day!  They were stationed at the marathon water station around Mile 23, under the direction of Station Commander Daniel. They showed up ready to help out at 6:00 AM (!), prepared to help quench the thirst of Surf City runners as they passed their station.

Their encouraging words, smiling faces, supportive signs, and blasting music (courtesy of volunteer Ryan's car stereo!) really helped pump up our FWM runner-fundraisers as they flew by and headed into the final 2 miles of their marathon.

Thanks to this fabulous and enthusiastic group for their beautiful handmade signs, flexibility, and positive attitudes!

Special thanks to Frances, the Director of Community Outreach for the CSULB Financial Management Association, for reaching out to us; to Ryan, for keeping everyone's spirits up by blasting your car stereo and for your wonderful photos; and to volunteers Erica, Kaithlynn, Ryan, Tyler, Brittany, Charlene, Kevin, Amanda, Cici, Kristen, Shan, Jo, and Alejan for your time and efforts!

Special thanks to OLHS student Kristen for joining the Mile 19/22 water station also!

"Your legs will forgive you... eventually."... "At least this is more interesting than a treadmill, right?"

Prepping for the herd of thirsty runners

FWM volunteers in blue and Surf City volunteers in yellow working together

Janet: World-traveling physical therapist

Janet & husband David in South Africa

  Meet Janet, a wonderful long-time Free Wheelchair Mission supporter. In 2011, Janet and her husband David made up their Run for Mobility team called "Restore Mobility, Restore Hope", raising over $2,900! She has shown her dedication to our cause not only by being an ongoing runner-fundraiser, but she has also been able to participate in actually distributing wheelchairs in countries around the world.

Traveler, physical therapist, and runner-fundraiser

"I got involved with the FWM 6 years ago. I learned about the organization from a volunteer of yours named Margaret at a "from Success to Significance" event at Mariner's church. Since then, I have been fundraising, running in the Run for Mobility and have traveled twice to Peru, once to Chile and now to Africa. This ministry is amazing. Professionally, I work am a PT [physical therapist] so it is a good fit for me. I help people with their mobility every day."

My Motto - "I wanna go!"

"If you ask my friends what my personal motto is, they will say "I wanna go!" If someone suggests a trip or an adventure, I am always first to say that I want to go. The wedding band I wore when we were traveling had a verse from Mathew. "With the Lord, all things are possible." I love that verse. Just trusting in Him and realizing if you do what you can, He will do what you cannot is powerful stuff!"

Arusha girl now able to receive an education, thanks to gift of wheelchair

Thanks to her new chair, this girl can now receive an education

"She was at the Center for Women and Children Development in Arusha. She could not sit unsupported. I do not know what kind of developmental or neuromuscular disease from which she is suffering. Very sweet girl but nonverbal. Because of the chair, she will be able to stay at the school and be transported into the classrooms." 

Moses crawls 30 miles to receive his new chair

David adjusting Moses' chair, while Moses waits on the ground

Moses finally off the ground in his new chair!

"The best experience of our trip for me was meeting Moses. In the photo, he is the gentleman with the colorful robes, and my husband is adjusting his chair for him. He crawled 30 miles to get to our distribution site. He had had polio, I do not know how long ago, but I would guess as a child or young adult. He must now be in his late 40's. He had the most amazing smile, and was so grateful for the chair."

Karafu woman and her mother both receive wheelchairs

"This woman is in Karatu. She also had had polio. Her mom was disabled and received a chair as well. I have no idea how she will help her mom get around with both of them in a chair. Doesn't she look great sitting upright in her chair?!"

Janet working hard on race day

FWM Staff: Robert and his personal Texas Run for Mobility

Our beloved Database Manager has recently moved out of state -- being the athlete he is, he decided to do his own Run for Mobility at the same time we had our event in Southern California!

 

"Even though the run took place miles away from me I just couldn’t resist getting in on the action! So last minute last night I made the decision to run a half marathon, trying to time it so that I would be running at the same time of our supporters. I couldn’t be there in person but wanted to be there in spirit. I mapped out a course in Memorial Park in Houston, and dragged my wife along to take pics!

I did not do any training for this, besides my usual 4-5 days a week of CrossFit. And I wanted to keep it totally Paleo, so no gel packs or pretzels for me. I filled my camelback with coconut juice, lime and water for electrolytes. And instead of gel packs I made small packets of blended banana, coconut milk and raspberries.

My official time 1:58:12

Every step I took I thought of those in need of mobility, and how God has been so gracious to me to grant me such abundant health. I missed everyone of you and wished I could have shared the experiences you had today, so I went out and made my own in Free Wheelchair Mission’s honor. My time might may not be elite, but with no training, and throngs of supporters to cheer me on, I’m quite proud of it.

Miss you guys!

God bless,

Robert"

Volunteer Spotlight: Oceanview, OLHS, & Dana Hills High Schools

The Start Line Water Station Crew

Meet the 3 wonderful groups of high school students who volunteered for the Start Line Water Stations! Under the direction of Station Commander Jesse, these wonderful volunteers worked to hydrate 1 Mile finishers, as well as those finishing the half and full marathon. Not only did these volunteers complete their water station assignment, but a few even took up the added job of providing information about Free Wheelchair Mission to the general race public by staffing our wheelchair info station near the start of the race. 

Special thanks to all of the Oceanview Interact Club volunteers: Shelby, for helping to coordinate your group's efforts for this event and for those coming up; to Ann for supervising and helping to build the FWM-Interact partnership; and to Vanessa, Tracey, and Cindy for all their hard work!

Special thanks to all of the Orange Lutheran High School volunteers: Emily, for being the helpful liaison between FWM and your group; and to Rebecca, Cynthia, and John for attending and helping out!
--- Extra special thanks to Kristen from Orange Lutheran for helping out at another station, Mile 19/22. Learn about what she did by clicking here.

Special thanks to all of the Dana Hills Free Wheelchair Mission Club members: Kelly, for working to get your big group of volunteers organized; and to Drew, Aaron, Emma, Nicholas, Lauren, Joe, and Sam for supporting us!

Working hard

Friendly FWM Info Booth

Applied Medical: A compassionate corporation

Applied Medical employees at the corporate office, gathered around the wheelchair they had on display for the months leading up to the race

Meet the employees of Team Applied Medical. Thanks to the highly active Community Partnership Outreach program, this company got on board by holding some creative events around their office, in addition to providing 25 runners who took on the half or the full marathon on Super Bowl Sunday, sporting their customized Run for Mobility race jerseys.

Pancake Breakfast. Applied Medical's unique corporate office layout includes a large kitchen and cafeteria. They took advantage of this area by holding a pancake breakfast one morning for all employees, selling breakfast plates of eggs, pancakes, sausage, and orange juice. 

The spread

Yum!

Baked Goods by Brownies. Applied Medical invited Brownie Troop #2017 to share some delicious treats, selling hot chocolate and a baked good for $2 among employees at the corporate office. Who could resist the feel-good combination of smiling faces, cozy hot chocolate, and treats made with love?

Come one, come all!

Smiling Brownie faces

Padfolio Gift. Applied Medical special ordered these beautiful padfolios, and made them available to anyone who made a $20 donation to the Run for Mobility. Simple and versatile, these gifts do double duty - they help keep you organized at the office, while helping to lift people off the ground and into wheelchairs!

About Applied Medical:

Applied Medical is a new generation medical device company based in Orange County that designs, develops and manufactures medical technology.  With facilities in Irvine and Rancho Santa Margarita and over 3,500 team members globally, Applied Medical is dedicated to advancing surgical procedures while reducing costs.  Applied Medical has an extensive Community Outreach Program and has partnered with Free Wheelchair Mission to help provide wheelchairs to those in need. There were 25 Applied team members who ran in the Surf City race (either the half or full marathon) on behalf of Run for Mobility, and together with the rest of their company, Team Applied Medical has raised over $15,000! Learn more about Applied Medical by clicking here.

Special thanks to DeEtte, for reaching out to us; to Don for leading your fellow runners by being the team captain; and to runners Russ, Robin, Jordan, Leilani, Sarah, Christopher, Heidi, Javid, Gary, Tracey, Sean, Richard, Amy, Melanie, Mark, Bob, Nathalie, JR, Stephen, Samer, Kira, Joel, Ryan, and Nicholas for making your miles matter and helping those who need it most.

The Applied Team!

Showing off their custom Run for Mobility jerseys

DeEtte and FWM Staff Ashley and Ariel

 

Volunteer Spotlight: OCHSA

The Group

Meet our 1 Mile Cheer Station volunteers from the Orange County High School of the Arts Key Club! This fun group was stationed at 3 points along the 1 Mile course, where they cheered on our FWM runners with signs and high fives. 

Under the direction of Station Commander Ryan, these wonderful volunteers helped set up the 3 wheelchair-balloon stations, cheered their lungs out, and even acted as a human wall, helping to route runners on the course to the finish!

Special thank you to: Gerianne, for working as the group leader and organizer; and to Victoria, Kevin L., Michelle, Kevin P., Jennifer, Julia, Kevin N., and Ginah for truly understanding and embodying what it means to be amazing volunteers!

Reminding runners why they are out there

High 5 station

The human wall!

Getting ready for the next wave

High 5 for one of our FWM runners in blue

Kids count too!

A reminder why we run