A MESSAGE FROM Ixchel
Hi there!! 👋 I’m Ixchel and I will be running the 2022 Chicago Marathon in support of Girls on the Run (GOTR). GOTR is an incredible organization that inspires girls to be happy, confident, and healthy by promoting the benefits of running. Their mission really hits home for me because I’ve truly felt like running has had a huge impact on my life. When I was 18 (about 6 years ago now) I was diagnosed with a blinding eye disease called Retinitis Pigmantosa (RP), which has caused me to lose some peripheral, color, and night vision and the ability to drive. While I am extremely lucky to still have plenty of vision, my diagnosis has made it harder for me to be as independent as I once was. I am grateful to be able to keep a pretty positive outlook on my vision loss, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to having harder days where my disease makes me feel weak, incapable, and insecure. Running has helped me cope with my diagnosis more than anything else. All I need to go out and run is my pair of sneaks, some headphones, good tunes, and the beautiful outdoors. Living in Seattle, I am incredibly lucky to be able to step outside my door and have direct access to beautiful paved trails. When I run I feel the opposite of what my diagnosis makes me feel: powerful, capable, strong, and independent. I am so incredibly grateful for this sport and hope that you consider donating to my fundraiser to help me inspire more people to get out there and be unstoppable! 💪 ❤️
