Now that I knew the AHA -American Heart Association had an annual 5k in San Antonio., I was much more prepared this year. I looked up the date and found out it was going to be held on November 12, 2023 at Texas A&M San Antonio campus. I registered early and sent out a link to family and friends asking for donations and participation to support the AHA and me. I also asked and encouraged my rehabilitation clinic to participate and bring the survivors to the walk. I could not believe this was something they weren’t already promoting for their inpatient or outpatient facility for survivors and their family members.

I was able to raise just over $1,000 on my own and my work graciously donated a match for a total of just over $2,000 for my Heart Walk. My goal was to ‘walk’ the entire 5k this time. No wheelchair, no cane. I just wanted to take every step for Jesus. Honestly, I was unsure if I could make the entire distance. There was a bit of a slow incline midway through. I didn’t have a (time) goal in mind. I knew I had the endurance; I just didn’t have the gait pattern or using the correct muscle groups to walk normally but I was determined no matter how slow I was to finish the walk. The walk was difficult seeing so many people walk and even run past me. Most people participating were doing the walk in memory or recognition of someone. Heart survivors wore red ball caps and stroke survivors were given a white ball cap. You could definitely see it was flooded with red ball caps. I didn’t see many wearing a stroke survivor ball cap. It was hard pill to swallow that many aren’t able to come out to participate. There was one family walking in memory of a loved one who passed away from a stroke. I thought that could’ve been my family walking in my memory. How grateful I should be to be alive! And in all honesty, how often I still gripe and complain about my life because I’m not physically able to do the things I loved before. I should be more grateful!

I was literally the last person to cross the finish line.  I will say I was very disheartened that EVERYONE from American Heart Association had left. There was not a single person from their organization who stayed to cheer me on. 

The only people who were still present were the breakdown crew. My family and I could not thank them enough for being so kind to let me finish my walk before breaking down the finish line sign and clock. They were extremely understanding and encouraged me to finish the last little bit of the walk. It took this survivor almost 2 hours to walk this 5k. Everyone who was part of the organization was gone but the breakdown crew was incredibly thoughtful so on behalf of me and my family I just want to share my gratitude.

My journey has been incredibly lonely and difficult. At that time I was about 16 months post stroke. This walk was to encourage every stroke survivor and family member that by the grace of God, healing is possible and hard work can pay off. Don’t lose hope even at times when you feel alone in the journey and nobody is there to cheer you on. I didn’t do this walk for the AHA; this walk was in honor of Jesus. Every step I took was to show the strength and grace Jesus has provided to me throughout this trial. And His love was shown through those who served at this event. Thank you Jesus!

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me,”

2 Corinthians 12:9