Run for Nash 2015

Nahashon (Nash) is a 5 year old boy who I first met when I was working in Kenya in 2010-12. He has cerebral palsy which means that he cannot walk, and has great difficulty sitting, using his arms/hands and speaking. He also has epilepsy and has to take medicine to stop him from having seizures. He is however a very bright and determined little boy who understands everything and always finds a way of getting his message across – whether it be using his eyes to point, his hands or (more and more now) his voice! When I first met Nash and his mother, he was only able to attend school if his mother stayed with him in the classroom for the whole day. Although the school was very welcoming and accepting of his disability, they simply did not have the resources to support his physical needs. Being a single mother of 2, this placed a huge financial burden on Nash's mother. In Kenya there is no financial support available for people who are not able to work or for those who are caring for someone with a disability. In the Kenyan education system at a policy level, "inclusive education" is encouraged, however in reality, schools are not equipped to support children with special needs and the cost of providing this support typically falls upon the parents.

This time last year, I ran the Nairobi marathon and was able to raise enough money to employ a teacher aide to support Nash in the classroom for the full year of 2015. This has enabled him to attend and participate in schooling without his mother having to be there. Although I am no longer living in Kenya, I have kept in close contact with Nash's mother, his therapists and my colleagues in Kenya and every time I get an update about his progress I feel so proud of what he has achieved! He is absolutely thriving at school. Academically he is doing well and he has continued to work hard on his physical skills - he can now sit up for a longer period of time and with support he can hold an adapted crayon/pencil. The other children in the class have accepted Nash as their friend and have learned to communicate with him. He has even been on a school trip! For the first time since Nash was born, his mother has some time to herself - she is now able to look for work and to spend time with her older son as well as Nash. She has also continued to support many other mothers of children with special needs in her community and has been able to attend some training workshops and a conference on disability. None of this would have been possible without the generous support of my friends and family all over the world who donated last year so a huge THANKS to all of you!!!

With 2016 just around the corner, it's time to start planning for his second year at school! So.... I have decided to do what I love and run for him again! On Nov 1st, I will run the Auckland half marathon. Mama Nash plans to walk part of the Nairobi marathon (which is the weekend before) with Nash to try and raise awareness and promote inclusion of children with special needs in Kenya. You can support us, by donating via this site! I am hoping to raise at least $2000 (NZ$) which will ensure that we can provide the teacher aide for the full academic year in 2016.

I am currently living in the tiny and very hilly Caribbean island of St Lucia where it is VERY hot and VERY humid.. and it is the middle of the hurricane season so training is challenging!!