Deborah Mills, 54, from New Jersey is taking on the London Marathon in honour of her son who has severe hearing loss and to raise awareness of the work being done at RNID.
Finding my stride for a cause close to my heart
I only started running at the age of 40. I was never really into athletics. In fact, I was teased as a child about my lack of athleticism, but when I started running, I found a community that supported all levels of ability!
Knowing that I wanted to run for a charity in London, I searched through all the possibilities and immediately applied to RNID. My 16-year-old son has severe hearing loss, so running for a charity focused on the deaf and hearing loss community was a perfect choice.
My personal connection to RNID
Last year, when my youngest son was 15, he failed his annual hearing test. He was fitted with hearing aids, which is tough for a teenager. On the ride home from the audiologist, in the back of the car, he said “Wait, is this what a car sounds like?” I will never forget that moment! He could hear something that he hadn’t heard before.
He’s now almost 17 and his hearing aids are a part of him just like his clothing and shoes. Though we don’t live in the UK, raising funds for RNID is important to us as a family – we know that there is a young man, just like him, somewhere in the UK that needs support.
How RNID resonates with my family
My son’s diagnosis of severe hearing loss was a pivotal moment for us. The process was fraught with challenges, but it was his simple, profound reaction to hearing a car properly for the first time that truly struck me. Something so simple that we take for granted every day but is what RNID strives to achieve for those with hearing loss.
Supporting RNID isn’t just about fundraising; it’s about amplifying the message that no one should feel alone on their hearing journey. This personal connection fuels my marathon mission, knowing each step helps someone just like my son.
Trail runs and bear encounters: preparing for the marathon
Well, it hasn’t happened yet this year, but I know it will happen in the spring before the race! I live in rural north-western New Jersey and we have a lot of bears. I like to run on trails and see bears all the time. I might be lucky enough to see a mom and a cub before I head to London. Don’t worry – they are more scared of me than I am of them, and I know how to keep myself safe when I see one – plus, I carry a bear horn in my trail pack.
Overcoming setbacks: the road to recovery
Training for my 11th marathon hasn’t been without its hurdles. I caught Covid-19 on New Years Eve and it significantly set back my marathon preparation. It took me five weeks to recover, so I’ve been easing back into running very slowly. I’m behind on my training plan, but that’s OK! I will be walking a lot, but I will get to that finish line. We never know what life is going to throw at us, but we get up, keep going and adjust our goals!
To support my current fundraising efforts, visit my JustGiving page!
