This is Us

This is Keaton. He was born on April 12, 2011. He’s also a miracle. Keaton wasn’t supposed to leave the hospital but here we are, 4 and a half years later, and he has single handedly changed my life.

This is me. I was born and raised in Houston. I have a loving family, played sports while growing up, and I’ve had great opportunities come my way. I have a good job, supportive family and friends. My life is pretty easy.

Keaton and I are very different. But I think the amazing thing about us is; together we can accomplish something big.

I met Keaton when I started working with his mom, Erika. And to tell you something about her, she is the strongest person I’ve ever met. She’s also pretty funny.

Erika and I quickly became friends and as our bond grew, I learned more and more about her. I learned quickly that the most important and her favorite person in the world is Keaton. I also learned how different he is and at the age of 4, he had already overcome more than I could ever imagine. Keaton was born with Desmosterolosis, a rare genetic condition that prevented his brain from developing properly.

Keaton can’t walk without equipment and has trouble sitting up on his own. He isn’t able to say many words but he says so much with his personality. Keaton is one of the happiest kids I have met and his laugh alone will brighten your day.

I can walk. I can even run when I feel like it. I hate running. Ask any of my friends or old teammates.

So, naturally I thought to myself, let’s run a marathon. It’s something I never thought I could do, but I’m surprising myself every time I go out for a run.

This is us.

Keaton has the heart and the will. I’m just the machine. He is the motivation. He is what makes me put one foot in front of the other. There’s no way I would ever try anything close to 26.2 miles on my own but, knowing I’m doing it with him … it makes everything worth it.