My sister and friends got together to build a team, Team Rise Up, to run a half marathon to raise money for Rise Up Gallery (where i most recently flew out to for the gallery's grand opening!)
Please read below and visit Running to Rise UP and help support an amazing and inspiring cause!
My name is Nicole Tararuj and I've created Team Rise Up with runners Maria Riggi & Jamie Parziale to run the Asbury Park Half Marathon on April 20th.
As many of you know, my sister Kasey Tararuj became paralyzed at the age of 14 from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). I can attest to the many challenging obstacles Kasey overcomes on a daily basis. Think about all the things you probably take for granted...showering, cooking yourself a meal, driving yourself to work, or even doing laundry. Now, imagine doing all those things in a wheelchair. Kasey has a very strong support system and has managed to adapt very well to her disability. Unfortunately, not everyone living with paralysis has the same support.
One thing Kasey can do on her own is create beautiful art. Art is a therapeutic outlet, allowing her to illustrate the thoughts and feelings she could not express otherwise. We recently traveled to Miami to attend the opening of the Rise Up Gallery where Kasey was a featured artist. We had the pleasure of hanging out with David McCauley, paralyzed artist AND the founder of Rise Up Gallery. His vision for Rise Up gallery is truly amazing. This is why I have organized a team that will be participating in Runapalooza half marathon, 13.1 miles on April 20th, 2013. We will be running for all the artists and artists to come! Please help us raise donations for Rise Up Gallery, a life changing organization! All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
Team Rise Up:
Jamie Parziale
Maria Riggi
Nicole Tararuj
and Kasey Tararuj - paralyzed artist (participating in the 5 mile race) www.kaseytararuj.com
About Rise Up Gallery:
Rise Up Gallery is a place where disabled artists may collaborate, attend workshops and have access to adaptive art supplies. The Gallery supplements income to individuals living with paralysis who struggle finding employment. In addition, the Rise Up Gallery serves as a sanctuary and social meeting place for people who may feel isolated as a result of a Spinal Cord Injury.
Proceeds of this 501(c)3 fund an Adaptive Art Therapy Studio, provide grants to improve the quality of life for individuals living with paralysis and research grants to medical institutions searching for a cure to paralysis.
Check out David's video on our page too!
Facts about Paralysis:
There are nearly 1 in 50 people living with paralysis- approximately 6 million people. That's the same number of people as the combined populations of Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Over 80% of those injured are unemployed, yet the estimated lifetime costs due to spinal cord injury can range from $681,843 to over $3 million for a 25 year old.
Thank you!!
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