A MESSAGE FROM Robin Stairman
MY WHY
My story is a bit raw, but I want to bring awareness to why this charity is important to me.
I struggled with a learning disability in school and still do today.
As a child, I felt like Charlie Brown in the classroom.
I struggled a lot in school.
I also struggled to keep up in the mainstream classroom.
As a kid, I felt like something was wrong with me.
I thought I was born with the short end of the stick. I had one failure after another.
Today, you would call my condition Dyslexia and Inattentive ADHD.
Everything changed when I decided to become a runner.
In High School, I joined the track team and was rewarded a varsity letter.
I felt confident – for the first time.
I was winning races. I had classmates telling me awesome work on my races.
Running has become my obsession.
Leaving my past behind.
Since high school, I have run more than 20 marathons.
And a few ultra-endurance running events.
The running community is great.
I’ve met people from all walks of life.
Running has instilled in me a sense of confidence and self-worth; and for this, I am forever grateful.
Team for Kids brings free running and fitness programs to students.
Team for Kids funds help support programs for children nationwide, including New York City’s five boroughs. These programs help build students’ motivation, confidence, and desire to be physically active for life.
Since 2002, Team for Kids members have raised more than 100 million dollars.
Funding helps pay for training for teachers and coaches, most of whom are volunteers, program and practice supplies, and student incentives.
For most of these kids, running with an NYRR program is their only opportunity to get exercise or play sports.
In the next 6 months, I will be training hard for New York. I will be sharing my running stories with you and collecting funds for this charity. Get ready to see my running pictures!!
