Meet Kim

A few years ago, Kim vowed to never run another marathon, but this changed when she was given the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon with Wake Up Narcolepsy, Inc.  “I could not pass up the opportunity to help my son and the many others who suffer with narcolepsy,” she explains.

Eight years ago, Kim’s son, the oldest of three, was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy at the young age of six.  “Narcolepsy is not a joke,” explains Kim, “it is a serious disorder, kids do not out grow it. Although someone has narcolepsy, they are far from lazy and will prove to be harder working than the average Joe.”

Kim’s son, now 14 years old, is a mature young adult and a role model to all. “Since he was diagnosed at such a young age,” Kim describes, “he does not remember what it is like to not have narcolepsy. He has adapted by knowing his limits. Narcolepsy by no means defines him. He knows that he has to get his sleep at night and he is great about taking his meds because he knows they help him. He has also started taking a nap during the day at school and has not complained one bit. “

In addition to managing his narcolepsy at school, Kim’s son is an athlete.  He is close to getting his black belt in Tae Kwon Do and has won several medals for his efforts in wrestling.

Recently, Kim and her husband, David, watched their son overcome tiredness due to his narcolepsy at a regional wrestling tournament.  “He had to win one more match to make it to state tournament and he wanted it badly,” Kim explains.  Yet, he had already wrestled four matches that day (a lot for any wrestler).  

Late in the afternoon, with only the one match left, Kim saw her son laying his head in his lap and knew he was fighting exhaustion. Nonetheless, "he came from 4-0 down to win 7-4!" Watching this, Kim and David had tears in their eyes. “We know the struggles he has and to see him overcome his tiredness and win this was the best gift.”

Her son’s determination has inspired Kim to face the arduous training required for a marathon. On the day of Kim’s 18 mile training run, it was extremely cold, dreary and icy outside. “I was not prepared for the ice,” Kim reports, “and on top of that, I had to run by myself! My feet hurt and I ran slowly… All I kept thinking was how my son must feel and if he can go through life feeling so tired, I sure as heck can run 18 miles!”

Now, with over 450 miles under her belt and just 10 days before the marathon, Kim continues to work tirelessly to promote greater understanding of narcolepsy and raise vital funds for cutting-edge research.

To learn more and contribute Kim’s efforts: please visit her fundraising page.  As Kim so eloquently says, “From the bottom of my running shoes, I thank you for supporting me in my efforts to improve my son’s life and the lives of all those living with narcolepsy.”

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Please join me in thanking the Wake Up Narcolepsy 2011 Boston Marathon team - Kim, Monica and John for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of those with narcolepsy.  Their support is truly a gift to our entire community.