BENEFITING: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
ORGANIZER: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
EVENT: 2012 Boston Marathon
AMOUNT RAISED OFFLINE: $790.00
HERE'S THE STORY:

My interest in Spaulding stems from the close relationship that my wife Pamela Robbins Robichaud has with Spaulding due to her brother, Nicholas Robbins, being a former patient. I met Pamela almost 5 years ago and quickly learned about Nicholas’ accident and recovery. Nicholas fell 30' from a tree, sustaining a traumatic brain injury, Upon returning to the states, he was placed at Spaulding for intensive rehab. I was inspired and touched after listening to Pamela tell the story about her brother and knowing that she was running Boston to raise awareness and money for the hospital that treated Nicholas. While dating Pamela and visiting her family over the holidays, I saw firsthand the unconditional love she has for her family and especially her brother. I found her actions and passion addicting and uplifting. These traits and others opened my eyes to the truly amazing person that Pamela is and how giving and caring her family is. Because of this, I fell deeply in love with her and all she stands for, including running 10 consecutive Boston Marathons for charity and her family! 

Having completed marathons and Ironman races in the past, I understand how hard it is to train for such endurance races. Thanks to Pamela, I now see that running a race for a charity is far more rewarding than simply completing one.

In 2007, after completing an Ironman, I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at the age of 30. I was told that my racing days were over. Through constant monitoring, testing and medication, my doctor has permitted me to race and train as I once did. I take medication daily to regulate my heart function. Because of my diagnoses, I understand how one’s life can drastically be altered without warning. I feel fortunate that I am able to participate in races and in life at the level that I so desire. The one thing I want to do with my “second chance” is to give back to those who need it. It is my hope to continue to carry the torch for the Robbins and my wife. 

 

Spaulding Rehabiliation Hospital wrote -

Spaulding Rehabiliation Hospital's Race for Rehab Team is proud to be running as part of the John Hancock Marathon Program.

Our team will be racing to raise funds toward Spaulding's Annual Fund. Our Annual Fund will support all of the hospital's most pressing needs. Spaulding prides itself on rehabilitation with a critically important "can-do" attitude. We encourage our patients to find their strength after suffering from injury or illness. We offer six major rehabilitation programs, based at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. Each rehab program is interdisciplinary, bringing the skills of a team of rehabilitation specialists to bear on the unique needs of each patient.

Our programs offer rehabilitation in the following areas:
Amputee and Vascular Disease Rehabilitation
Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Child and Adolescent Rehabilitation
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Stroke/Neurology Rehabilitation

Spaulding is in the process of building a state-of-the-art new hospital in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Your New Hospital will be a very special resource for Greater Boston, New England, and beyond. It will greatly enhance clinical capacities, provide comfortable and accessible patient accommodations, promote a truly transformative clinical research enterprise, and be a source of aesthetic enjoyment for the community.
 

Members of Spaulding’s Race for Rehab Team have many benefits including:

• Team training runs
• Training tips from one of Spaulding’s Physical Therapists
• Individual personalized fundraising websites
• Team meetings and fundraising assistance
• Pre-Marathon pasta dinner
• Exclusive chance to meet with team captain Ernst van Dyk, nine-time Men’s Push Rim Wheelchair champion of the Boston Marathon
• Marathon Monday viewing party for family and friends to watch the race and meet the runners afterward