Ainsley’s Angels remove boundaries

24

Ainsley'sAngelsStory by Angela Harne

n addition to ensuring everyone can experience endurance events, Ainsley’s Angels of America aims to build awareness about America’s special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life. From serving as advocates to providing education and participating as active members in local communities, Ainsley’s Angels believes “everyone deserves to be included,” according to Angel Ambassador Bethann Wilkie. “Ainsley’s Angels is special to Farmville. Bobby Hodge inspired me to (become an Angel),” Wilkie said. Hodge is a Farmville resident with cerebral palsy and scoliosis. He started Farmville’s Crop Walk. “He wanted to go faster,” Wilkie said, explaining he was limited in his speed due to his wheelchair. Wilkie googled “specialized wheelchairs” and was directed to Ainsley’s Angels in Jacksonville, N.C. She emailed the organization and asked if she could borrow a wheelchair so she and Hodge could participate in the Reindeer Dash for Cash 5K race in Greenville. They sent a chair the next weekend and gifted it to Hodge, who became an Ainsley’s athlete. The organization encouraged Wilkie to become an Ainsley’s runner and to start a Pitt County ambassadorship. Wilkie began running at age 30. For her, running was a form of therapy. She began training for the Boston Marathon, hoping to qualify. The mother of two “fell out of love with running,” she admits. Ainsley’s Angels refueled her passion of running. Today, Wilkie will not run without a chair carrying an Ainsley’s athlete or rider. She joined Ainsley’s Angels thinking she would help a fellow athlete, but the riders help her more than they know, Wilkie said. Ainsley’s Angels was founded in

I2012 for Ainsley Renee, the daughter of Kim “Rooster” and Lori Rossiter. Ainsley Renee loved the beach, sea air and wind in her face. Her father, Rooster, found a specialized chair so he could run with his daughter. Ainsley Renee died in 2016 at age 12. To this day, her father continues to serve as president of the organization he and his wife created in memory of their daughter. Ainsley’s Angels is inclusive not only for its athletes, but also for members of the community. It gives people the opportunity to serve as an athlete — either to push a chair or serve as a guide runner. Those with special needs can participate as an athlete rider or as an athlete runner. And those who do not have the passion to run can serve as a Guardian Angel setting up the Ainsley’s Angels information booth and watching over the rider and runner athletes before the race. Wilkie began her journey with Ainsley’s Angels pushing Hodge in the December Reindeer Dash for Cash race. On a practice run through the town of Farmville, Hodge asked Wilkie if they could stop by his Nanny’s grave. “Look at my chair, Nanny. I’m going to be in a race,” Wilkie said, recalling Hodge’s conversation with his grandmother.

Team Lizzy members (L-R) Betsy Hughes, Lizzy and Lindsay Annis prepare for the Farmville 5K in May 2019.

Farmville Magazine 2019

The Rev. Jarrett Banks runs with Bobby Hodge. Lindsay Annis and Lizzy celebrate completing a 5K race. Julie and Warren prepare to race with Bobby Hodge, while Betsy Hughes and Lindsay Annis race with Lizzy.

She was amazed by Hodge’s excitement. She realized then what a

privilege it was for Hodge to be able to

race.

“I’ve run with Bobby, but I’m not fast enough for him,” Wilkie said. Hodge relies on Bert Warren, and previously Jarrett Banks, to get him across the finish line in ample time. The Pitt County Ainsley’s Angels Ambassadorship celebrated its first full year in 2018. To launch an ambassadorship, volunteers must raise $3,000. Wilkie and local supporters raised $25,000. They purchased 14 specialized race chairs and a trailer to transport and store the chairs. In 2018, the Pitt County Ambassadorship competed in 21 events, totaling 985.1 miles. Seventyfour Angel runners competed, running 554.6 miles, including five half marathons. The ambassadorship had 11 riders, who completed 430.5 miles, including four half marathons. Wilkie pairs two runners with each rider per race. Wilkie is training to compete in the local ambassadorship’s first full marathon in October 2019 in

Washington, D.C. She will race with athlete rider, Lizzy. Lizzy’s twin brother, Jonathan, is an athlete runner, who runs with a guide. Pitt County’s ambassadorship includes parents of riders, who run in events, too. “I have one parent who pushes another rider because she wants her

daughter to have independence from her,” Wilkie said. Parents are always thanking Ainsley’s Angels, too. “They never thought their child would be included,” Wilkie said, explaining most events for people with special needs are held purposely for those with special needs, like Special Olympics. Ainsley’s Angels go to 5K races and marathons across the state and nation

to participate in the event. It is not specially customized for the special needs community, Wilkie explained. Those who compete are an inspiration. Wilkie has watched an athlete rider who pulled an oxygen tank behind him throughout the race. “The most exclusive race included

our racers,” Wilkie said of the Boston Marathon, which recently included a blind man pushing a rider with a guide runner by his side. “To compete in the Boston Marathon, you have to qualify. I have tried nine times. They not only qualified but qualified while pushing.” Wilkie’s husband, son and daughter are all athlete Angel runners. Her daughter, Nora, starting pushing Amelia, who at the time was 6-years-old, when she was age 11. “They are inseparable with a magical bond, and they wouldn’t have a bond without the Angels,” Wilkie said. “We are family. I love all the riders, and they love each other.”

Ainsley’s Angels is inclusive not only for its athletes, but also for members of the community. It gives people the opportunity to serve as an athlete — either to push a chair or serve as a guide runner.

Farmville Magazine 2019 25

Bert and Julie Warren and Bobby Hodge race.

Amelia has Down syndrome. “We run with speakers and have Amelia’s favorite play list. We sing on the course and have fun,” Wilkie said. “Ainsley’s Angels has made running fun again. When I first started running, it was to PR (Personal Record). Now my goal is to get my rider across the finish line. I’m running a different race now.” Wilkie’s son, Jackson, pushed for 11 events in 2018, totaling 80 miles. Jackson joined Ainsley’s Angels in 2017 when he learned his teacher’s daughter had a disability. He told his teacher about Ainsley’s Angels and asked to push her daughter in a race. Since then, Jackson and his running partner, Cole, and angel, Marianna, has been an inseparable team. “I am proud my children are out there giving of their time. Ainsley’s Angels teaches love and compassion, and how to love unconditionally. Kindness is underrated,” Wilkie said. “I now experience joy differently. I appreciate the little things. I am quicker to recognize individuals and make sure they are included in all activities. I am more aware of the challenges some face and I see the world differently.” Ainsley’s Angels has expanded Wilkie’s family. “Christmas morning, riders and their moms are at my house. Amelia stays at our house sometimes. These kids are

my family. I love my mamas. They are amazing human beings,” Wilkie said. The Pitt County Ambassadorship has 15 active Angels, of who three are athlete runners partnered with guide

runners.

“We always need guide runners. Some may think they are not a fast enough runner. We need slow runners,”

Wilkie said, explaining most of the athlete runners are not 10-minute a

mile runners. “We need guide runners who can go slow with our athletes, motivate them and keep them on the run course.”

Once an athlete rider and their

runner near the finish line, if the rider is able, they exit their chair and cross the finish line on foot. Some riders are

able to race across using a walker, while others are assisted by their runner. The ambassadorship has 110 volunteers.

“I actually signed up to become a runner after Bethann’s presentation for (Farmville’s) Coffee & History series. Hearing Bethann tell the story of the organization and the joy she felt running a race with the rider inspired me to want to see if I could enjoy running road races again,” said Lindsay Annis of Farmville. “I had fallen completely out of love with road races and the anxiety and stress I felt as I walked to the start

line made races not fun for me. I had

forgotten what a gift it was to be able to run and find joy in the movement and friendships and fellowship in the running community. I have only been able to run one race, the one in Farmville.

“It was a wonderful experience. We had a blast. Singing and listening to music as we ran, chatting and truly

enjoying the race without feeling the anxiety and stress of the competition. The end, finish line moment, when your angel crosses that line is unexplainable and moving. I was in tears as she walked across the finish line. Betsy Hughes and I ran Team Lizzy. She was the most amazing young woman. It was an amazing experience that I hope I get to do again soon.” Bert Warren and his wife, Julie, began running for Ainsley’s Angels four

years ago. “We learned of Ainsley’s Angels from our friend, the Rev. Jarrett Banks, who pushed another friend Bobby Hodge,” Warren said. “Bobby has been an inspiration for many people through his

Ainsley’s Angels has made running fun again. When I first started running, “ it was to PR (Personal Record). Now my goal is to get my rider across the finish line. I’m running a different race now.

- BETHANN WILKIE

26

Farmville Magazine 2019

fundraising passion for the Crop Walk. We knew how much Bobby enjoyed the runs, so when Jarrett moved away, we didn’t want Bobby to miss out on these experiences.” Julie added, “We love being around Bobby. He has a contagious joy, and his zeal for life is such an inspiration. Bobby is a delight to push in a race — he waves at everyone and always greets his spectators with enthusiasm and excitement.”

The couple has pushed in 12 races with Ainsley’s Angels. “All races have been 5Ks, but Bobby wants to do longer races, so this December we are planning to run a 10-miler in the Reindeer Dash for Cash

fundraising race in Greenville,” Warren said.

The couple always races with Hodge. Lesley Albritton of Farmville also runs with the team on occasion.

“Bobby doesn’t like to be passed by anyone and will let us know when this happens. He will encourage us to run faster,” Warren said. Julie added, “Bobby likes the races the most when we are able to go fast — usually downhill. He knows it’s faster by the breeze in his face and the noise the spinning pinwheel on the side of his chair makes.”

Pushing someone versus just running freely is “a bit more challenging,” Warren admits.

“We get through the races with inspiration from Bobby. His enthusiasm is addictive. We are inspired through seeing the sheer delight he has from being in the race and watching as he shares his love for all the people he meets,” Julie said. Warren added, “Bobby has an incredible memory. If we tell him we plan to run a race with him, even if it is months away, he will not let us forget.” Hodge inspired Banks to participate in Ainsley’s Angels. The former pastor at First Christian Church in Farmville has

since started ambassadorships in Enid, Okla., Tulsa, Okla., Fort Smith, Ark., Little Rock, Ark. and Texarkana, Ark. “At our last race, we included 60 persons with special needs,” Banks said. “Many people have recently asked me, ‘How did you get started with Ainsley’s Angels?’ I know this may seem strange to many, but there’s perhaps nothing I like more than waking up at 4:30 a.m. to lace up my running shoes and run 5 or 10 miles. I love the way running makes me feel. I love the endorphins that it gives me. I love the way it keeps me relatively thin. I love the way running allows me to enjoy nature. I love the way it gives me opportunities to see some glorious sunrises. I love the way running gives me opportunities to make new friends. I love the sense of

accomplishment completing a race gives me. Do you notice a common theme here? ‘Me, me, me.’ ‘I, I, I.’” Ainsley’s Angels changed that perspective for Banks. When Hodge learned he could participate in a race, he was thrilled. “I went over to his house, showed him some pictures and a video. This was late November 2015. I told him

there was a race coming up Dec. 6 that we could be in. Bobby, who has never taken one step in his life, looked at me with this indescribable expression of excitement and said, ‘Jarrett Banks’ — Bobby always calls me by my first and last name —, ‘you mean to tell me that I can be in a race?’ Shocked by his response, I remember grinning from ear to ear, shaking my head saying, ‘Yes, you can.’ ‘OK, I never thought I could be in a race,’ he shouted,” Banks said. Banks and Wilkie picked up Hodge one afternoon to train.

“I don’t even think we got a block down the road when Bobby spoke up, ‘Jarrett Banks, my neighbor who lives right here doesn’t know about this. We need to tell her.’ We pulled up on the sidewalk that led to her front porch and rang the door bell. As soon as she came

Farmville Magazine 2019

We love being around Bobby. He has a contagious joy, and his zeal for life is such an inspiration. Bobby is a delight to “ push in a race — he waves at everyone and always greets his spectators with enthusiasm and excitement.

- JULIE WARREN

Bobby Hodge (center) celebrates a race finish with his teammates and parents.

27

Julie and Bert Warren race with Bobby Hodge in the Farmvile 5K in May 2019.

to the door, Bobby started telling her all about it, ‘Hey, you will not believe this, but I am going to be in a race. This is my preacher Jarrett Banks and Bethann. I never thought I could be in a race before, but now I am … Maybe you can come and watch me in the race,’” Banks recalled. “I think we made it two more blocks, when he said, ‘Jarrett Banks. My neighbor who lives right here does not know about this either.’ So, up on the side walk we went. I rang the door bell.” The three visited a few more

neighbors, when Banks told Hodge, “Bobby, we really need to finish this training run before the sun goes down and it starts getting cold.” “For about two miles, Bobby laughed at every bump we went over. He waved at every passing car. And he pointed out all of the places the sidewalks needed ramps in the curbs at the end of a block. Every time we passed someone’s house he knew, he would tell me that we were going to have to come back and tell them, ‘cause they don’t know about this.’ I think he told us umpteen times, ‘Jarrett Banks, Bethann run faster.’ “After about two miles, Bobby got quiet. For about a quarter of a mile, he didn’t make a sound. Bethann and

I were quiet, too. Running a little faster pace, we were just trying to breathe. Then Bobby broke the silence, ‘Jarrett Banks, I know you are going to be mad at me, but my nanny does not know about this. We need to show her.’”

Banks and Wilkie assumed the

nanny was a caregiver, and asked where she lives. That’s when Hodge directed them to a cemetery. Hodge pointed to the headstone of his grandmother, who died in 1989. “As soon as we pulled up to the headstone, Bobby said, ‘Nanny, you will not believe this, but I am going to be in a race. Nanny, I never thought I could be in a race before, but this is my preacher, Jarrett Banks, and this is my friend Bethann, and they got me this chair, and Jarrett Banks, when is that race?’ Overwhelmed with emotion, I could barely speak, ‘It’s Dec. 6th,’” Banks said. “It was then he said, ‘Nanny, please tell God to tell the angels watch over me and my preacher Jarrett Banks and Bethann in this race and keep us safe.’”

Ainsley’s Angels-Pitt County meets at 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Uptown Brewery for Pub Runs. This is a great opportunity for new runners to train and practice running with a chair and athlete rider.

The ambassadorship is also always recruiting new angels. Ainsley’s Angels-Pitt County works closely with Pitt County Schools’ Field Days and Special Olympics. “Join our family. Races are always free for our runners and riders,” Wilkie said.

For more information about

Ainsley’s Angels, including how to sign up as a runner or guardian angel, visit ainsleysangels.org or email Wilkie at greenville@ainsleysangels.org.

If this is what your list looks like, you should be looking in Farmville!

28

Visit us at ComeHomeToFarmville.com

Farmville Magazine 2019