Dedicated Mom Goes the Extra Mile for Her Son.

At the age of 20, doctors diagnosed Woody with a rare genetic disorder that left him unable to control his muscles, swallow or speak. Kim’s motivation to run with Woody grew out of her desire to sustain his lifelong love for the outdoors despite his condition. She said the half-marathon training serves as both their escape and daily dose of medicine. 

As a typical college student preparing for his future, Woody had studied physics and chemistry. He enjoyed playing lacrosse and gaming. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary until shortly before his 21st birthday, when he began showing unusual symptoms.

“He was a normal kid,” Kim explained.

Doctors diagnosed Woody with a rare genetic disorder called Wilson’s Disease, which affects approximately one in 40,000 people as has no known cure. In people born with Wilson's Disease, copper builds up in the body and brain and begins to cause various symptoms over time, including impacts to vision, muscle function and speech. Despite the debilitating effects of the disease on his mobility and verbal communication, Woody’s mind remains sharp. 

“He is all there and he is very happy. Emotionally whatever he is feeling he is full-on,” Kim said.

As he began to lose mobility, Kim wanted to ensure that Woody continued to enjoy the outdoors and the benefits that come with it, including a sense of freedom, healthy exposure to sunlight and social connections. 

She first started taking Woody with her when she jogged on a local trail near their home, and she soon decided to turn their daily runs into full-fledged training for competitive races. She wanted Woody to experience the excitement of traveling to other cities for events. Kim said that their bond has grown stronger as they enjoy exploring new cities together while competing. 

“We’re definitely closer now for sure because I take him away by myself on a weekend. He is stuck with me now,” Kim joked.

Kim said that Woody absolutely loves participating in the races because they are surrounded by such a positive and supportive group of people. The marathons also help Woody stay social and active in the world.

“He loves it because he is in the event. People are cheering for him,” said Kim. “They’re fist-bumping him. He is part of it and not watching other people do stuff.”

Despite the physical challenge of pushing a wheelchair while running, Kim would not have it any other way. She said it is worth any trouble for the joy it brings to her son. No matter how how tired she feels, Kim pushes through to run Woody to the finish line of each race. She shared that she is in the best physical shape of her life thanks to the team effort. She credits her increased fitness and endurance to pushing the extra weight. 

“I’m not going to stop – because he loves it.” Kim said.

The running community has enthusiastically embraced the mother-and-son dynamic duo. Fellow racers and spectators cheer on Kim and Woody everywhere they go, which further motivates them.

The Foundation for A Better Life and PassItOn believe that Kim Michaux is a hero. Her action is a great example of the value of a mother’s love. She runs the extra mile and then some to bring more joy into her son’s life. Her dedication is a testament to how far a mother would go for the sake of her child.

Watch video here: https://youtu.be/ah6EnBgTDSQ?si=xFr6oo6a7di8rFGC