Our daughter Brinley came into this world 5 1/2 years ago with many, many challenges. We were initially told she might never walk or talk. She has been in therapy since the day she was born. She is a current Easter Seals client, and I am not overstating this by saying the organization has changed her life. They gave us hope when we had none. Today she walks, she talks, she sasses, she laughs, she makes friends. For the last five years, our family has participated in the Run for the Kids at Easter Seals in Villa Park in honor of Brinley. The first year, I pushed Brinley in a stroller across the finish line. As we were crossing, another Easter Seals client was walking across the finish line. Her steps were labored and the cheering crowd responded with a level of applause that showed they understood how celebrated this journey should be. I watched with tears running down my face, praying that my daughter would one day be like that. The second year, Brinley was 5 days pre-spinal-surgery. My husband, Chad, and I "walked" her across the finish line. She wasn't in a stroller, but we did more of the walking for her than she did on her own. But it was still a very, very sweet moment. Year three, Brinley WALKED ACROSS THE FINISH LINE on her own with her walker. Sure, it took her a long time but I really think she was just relishing the moment of her favorite people in the world standing at the finish line cheering her on. Years four and five, she walked herself across that line with no walker and no need for a handhold from Mom or dad. Brinley had become the Easter Seals’ client that I prayed she would be. The beauty of that will never be lost on me. This year, she will RUN across the line. And that run might not be pretty, but it will get her across the finish line…and isn’t that the most important thing? The Run for the Kids will be on May 5. Please join us.