#EmbraceTheBif

So, today is World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day.

Because of that, I took part in a Facebook event that called us to wear yellow in support of those living with Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, or both.

Honestly, I can't say that I know a whole lot about either of these conditions.

But, I'm a firm believer in knowing that everyone has a reason for being here, for being who they are, and that nobody should be made fun of for being different, including those (and especially those) who have so-called "disabilities".

That being said, I've semi-recently come across this fantastic movement online that is helping to not only raise awareness for those with disabilities, but also to help make them feel like they are capable and that people love them.

This group is called I Run 4 Michael. (http://www.whoirun4.com/)

You can follow the link to get a more detailed information about the movement, but essentially the idea is that many of us were born with mobility, but not everybody was. There are many people out there who can't just get up and go for a run. 

So we run for them.

You're matched with a buddy and you dedicate your runs (or other workouts -- I'm not a huge runner) to that buddy.

I'm still new to this (and to running/working out in general), but some people are SUPER into it. 

People send their medals from their races to their buddies, etc.

You create a relationship with your buddy.

Many people have met theirs.

I have not been matched with a buddy in I Run 4 yet, because the waiting list is HUGE.

However, there's also a I Run 4 Siblings group, because the siblings are also outcasted a lot of times because parents are so busy with hospital visits, treatments, etc. so the siblings don't always get a ton of time to go outside and run around either.

I've been partnered with an amazingly adorable, sweet, 6 year old girl from New Zealand and she motivates me to get my workouts done.

There have been many times that I haven't felt like going to the gym, but I have, for her.

I'd love to meet her someday, but I'd also love to actually run a race for her.

Point is, if you work out at all, I think you should check out these groups.

I put the URL to the website above, but you can also search Facebook for "I Run for Michael" (the original group) or "I Run for Siblings". 

There's also a group where you run for angels of kids who have died from their condition.

You don't have to have a buddy in both/all groups, but you can if you want.

I've chosen to be matched with both a sibling and a buddy, and I'm excited to get better at this whole thing.

But there you go, there's my plug.

I love this group. Though I haven't done a whole lot yet, I'm inspired every day by the men and women who post in these groups and do all they have. 

Many people make some life-long friends from these groups.

That could be you.

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. - Romans 5:3-5