Meet Misha, she’s running Vacation Race’s Great Smoky Mountains Half as a charity bib. She’s raising funds for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), which is a cause that’s close to her heart and home. When we asked about her charity selection, she shared about her 4 year old son, Torben, who has cerebral palsy and how she, “loved that this charity (CAF) focuses on getting people with disabilities out there, doing things and enjoying themselves through sport and activity. Keeping reading below for this inspiring story.
What inspired you to run a charity bib for the Challenged Athletes Foundation?
We have been blessed with the greatest son on the planet. He was our first placement as new foster parents, and it was meant to be in every way. We were new parents who deeply longed for a family and he was left at birth, never even given a name. He was a tiny little guy, 2 lbs at birth, 30 weeks premature, addicted to heroin and meth, in acute kidney failure, and had suffered a brain bleed which resulted in significant brain damage. We held him every day in the NICU until he was released a month later. We completed the adoption process when he was 18 months old and named him Torben, which means Thunder Bear. That was his nickname we used before we adopted him since he didn’t have a name. He’s four now and doing amazingly well!! I am proud of everything he does. He now has a foster brother, Zayden (22 months old), and a foster sister, Freya (9 months old). We are currently working on their adoptions as well and look forward to the day when we will all legally be one family.Â
When he was little and throughout his life, we’ve always gone on long walks in a stroller. He’s still unable to walk so for him it has always been enjoyable to move quickly and get to look around. We cover many miles on several different trails that we like. Since I’m going to be 45 this year, AHH! I take my health very seriously. We are certainly on the older side of parenting, so it’s important for my husband and I to stay healthy and mobile for a long time. I plan on being one of those 80 or 90 year olds that can do crazy, amazing things like hike and run marathons and keep up with my grandkids. Which is why I am attempting my very first HALF MARATHON! I just ran a 10K for the first time a month ago. Torben is coming with us on our trip to do these races, and he will be accompanying me on the 5K! It will be his first official race yet! I wanted to raise money for the Great Smoky Half because it’s such an important cause. When I saw this charity I knew I had to do it. We feel so blessed to have Torben, and also to have access to therapists and healthcare that provides for all his needs. I know a lot of other families struggle with getting what they need. We are trying to pay it forward.
What are you looking forward to about Vacation Races’ Great Smoky Mountains Half?
I love that being a part of this race brings so many important things together for us. We get to travel as a family and make this into a long lasting memory. It motivates me towards my fitness and health goals which are so important to me for remaining with my kids as long as possible in this lifetime. I get to help a community of disabled people that I feel a strong kinship with. We all walk that challenging road day after day and it’s nice to not feel alone in that. And I get to honor my son, who is the light of my life. My dream come true. He made us a family!
To read more of Misha’s story or to donate to her race, check out her fundraising page. Learn more about Challenged Athletes Foundation and the rest of our amazing charity partners here. And if you feel inspired to turn your next run into something good for your favorite charity, check out all the upcoming 2024 and 2025 events with charity bibs available.