Grant Recipients — Run Your Marathon

Caitlyn B.

Caitlyn Barr was born a healthy baby girl on 5-13-11. At the age of 21⁄2 she kept complaining of a headache. The hospital we took her to said it was the flu. She continues complaining so to Riley Hospital we went to. They also said she had the flu. However, there was a doctor there that said something was not right, did MRI, she was diagnosed with AVM -- Arterial Vascular Malformation, they said it was like an aneurysm. As she has gotten older, her health has declined. Her left side has been affected by the AVM. When you look at her, it looks like she has had a stroke. Caitlyn cannot use her left hand at all; it is completely closed tightly. Due to where the AVM is located at, they cannot do surgery. The AVM is deep in her brain. So she had a radiation treatment in August of 2025 to try and shrink it. But since the radiation has declined in some areas. She has had seizures most of her life, this is one of the biggest changes since radiation, the seizures have gotten worse and more frequent. Caitlyn is now in a wheelchair, due to not being able to walk for a long time. She does get tired very quickly. She can't be left alone due to her health problems. She falls quite a bit. In December of 2024, when she was 131⁄2 years old she had back surgery to help with the scoliosis. She has a rod on her back along with 22 screws and plates. Riley Hospital has told us that her AVM is the biggest one in the country. Caitlyn loves people, she can carry on any type of conversation with anyone. She does have issues with learning; she is at first to second grade level. With your help, we are ready to start school at home in a couple of weeks. We do know that things will continue to get worse for her, her saying is "we can get through anything as long as we have each other." One other thing about Caitlyn is she is the sweetest girl I know, not just because I am her grandma, but she is the strongest person I know. She has been through a lot in her 15 years. Our favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Run Your Marathon is honored to support Caitlyn in her marathon with supplies necessary for her to be successful in her homeschool environment.

Benjamin A.

Benjamin experienced a brain injury that resulted in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, and microcephaly. He has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, meaning all four of his limbs are affected. Benjamin continues to make incredible progress. "We are incredibly grateful for this grant. It is being used to help cover the cost of a physical therapy intensive, where Benjamin will work on skills such as weight bearing, sitting, crawling, balance, and overall mobility. Unfortunately, intensive therapy programs like this are not usually covered by insurance. This grant is helping make this intensive possible for Benjamin. Opportunities like these are often financially out of reach for many families and we are incredibly grateful! Thank you for believing and supporting Benjamin." Run Your Marathon is honored to join Benjamin, his family, and therapist in his marathon. Keep going Benjamin...the sky is the limit!