KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Some amazing athletes gathered in Waldo on Sunday to raise money for some very special kids.
The Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired Trolly Run raises money the center uses to help children with visual impairments through a variety of programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and other services.
Runner Aaron Scheidies, who routinely competes in triathlons and marathons, raced the entire course tethered to a guide. He was diagnosed with macular degeneration as a child, and came all the way from Seattle to run in Sunday’s event.
“We all have the same potential to reach our own ability level,” said Scheidies. “What you have is just normal for you. Don’t question ‘Why am I not normal and like everyone else?’, but more just realize that what you have is normal for you and all you can do is do the best you can do with what you have.”
Tanya Hiner’s daughter Tristan attends CCVI. When Tristan was just three months old, a severe respiratory attack put her in a coma for two weeks. When she awoke, she had lost some of her vision—and that’s when her family learned about CCVI.
“They provided physical therapy, occupational therapy, we do water therapy,” said Tanya Hiner. “They have helped working with her mobility issues and its been a blessing.”
Hiner says that CCVI is helping her daughter learn to drive an adaptive vehicle.
“We have a family team, and we are hoping to give back as much as we can to this amazing organization,” said Hiner.
Sunday’s event raised over $400,000 for the organization.