Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Endeavor Games 2010

Elias had the awesome opportunity to participate for the second year in the Endeavor Games in Edmond, OK. We love the Endeavor Games for a million reasons, but especially because Elias gets to be with other amputee kids and this has proven to be really significant in his life. The EGs are also special because each individual gets to be exactly who they are without people staring or them feeling so different. Legs and arms are laying everywhere, and no one bats an eye. I love it!

Elias ran in the 60, 100 and 200 Meter races and also participated in "Softball Throw". The best part for him is that he medaled in each event- 2 gold medals and 2 silver medals! Every night I hear them clanking up in his room as he plays with them before bed. :-)

Here are some of our favorite pictures from this year. There is a link at the bottom of this post to pictures in the Edmond newspaper that show the whole story of the Endeavor Games (and not just my awesome son). :-)

Practicing with friends the day before the race


Taking rest on the field (and actually devising a strategy as his friends ran all the way around the track. He cut across the field and got right in front of them, beat them to the finish line and then cheered as if he'd been winning all along. Elias is SO competitive!)

Cousins Melinda and Kaden (along with 3 grandparents) got to come. It was so fun to have them there!

Getting ready to race on game day


Running the 100M race

Crossing the finish line

Getting ready to jump in Daddy's arms (tongue was out the whole race).



Funny faces on the field

Posing with friends at the Closing Ceremonies Banquet


Two of the medals
Click here and here to see the slideshow from the Edmond Sun Newspaper.

We can't wait until next year!

3 comments:

joanna said...

Meagan! this was an incredible post - how awesome that Elias has this experience - and to be with all those other kids - all full of smiles and accomplishment - thank you for sharing!!!

Mrs. Mark Arni said...

aedHi Meagan,
I know that you must be busy with your new baby. Congratulations! I'm ashamed to say that I haven't been on your blog for many months so I'm very behind on your news. I was delighted to see that Chase had been able to go to Haiti to help with prosthetic needs. If he ever has a spare moment, I would love to e-mail with him about a little girl from Haiti that we hosted in our home a year ago. She was here in the States for medical care & ended up having a bilateral amputation of both lower limbs. She returned to Haiti just 9 days before the earthquake & no one has heard from her or her family since.

Belinda said...

Wow! I stumbled across this blog and was blown away. I like in Australia and am a mum too. This inspirational little man has caused tears of happiness to run down my cheeks.

What an incredible little man who is so very very blessed.

Belinda