GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – It is the nation's largest 25K race, with the only wheelchair racing 25K in the world: the Fifth Third River Bank Run is set for May 9.
Among the many groups that have been training for months is a group of women who have beat the odds. They are perhaps an unlikely group, training three times per week for the 5K Walk. Each of these women has come far to be here training today.
They're all are or have been homeless.
Preparing for the run has "changed my life,” said Kristie Newkirk.
“I thought I’m going to do this, it wasn’t ever try, it was I’m going to do this,” said Lisa McKenzie, another group member. “We walked over three miles yesterday, and my cane is sitting over in a corner.”
First they start with breathing exercises and stretches. Then nursing students check their blood pressure before they hit the pavement.
But once they get outside, the women are encouraging each other every step of the way.
“[Group members] Karen and Kristie and some of the others were in my place, and they come back and let us know that, yes, you can get out of here,” said McKenzie.
Beyond overcoming health issues, there is a deeper motivation; a common thread in their lives.
“Even though you're a homeless person, you can still achieve a lot of your goals: mine was finishing school and stuff like that, and finding a place to live,” said Newkirk.
Each of these women knows what it is like to be homeless. Some of them sleep or used to lay their heads at the Dégagé Ministrieswomen's shelter. Yet this is also where they have accomplished things they thought they never would. For instance, Newkirk graduated college while homeless.
“I had to get up for three weeks at 4 o’clock in the morning, catch the bus to get to Pine Rest, that’s where I did my internship for phlebotomy. And I didn’t get home until 11, 12 o’clock at night,” said Newkirk.
Karen Petchauer said she ditched her cane and became a leader in the walking group.
“I was always off by myself,” said Petchauer. “So then I’m involved with so much down here and with the walking group, that I’m always proud of myself when I cross that finish line.”
And McKenzie, not too long ago she used a wheelchair, but now she walks without a cane, and is applying for housing. She said this group helped her overcome serious anxiety.
“I’m more outgoing than I’ve ever been in my life,” said McKenzie.
Now with each step they are focused on two goals: crossing the finish line and fighting homelessness.
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