Be An Angel on December 8th… Join Ainsley’s Angels
Additional Information
A new Lake Area charity aims to inspire: Do you have what it takes to be an “Angel”?
Officially formed in July 2012, and featured by KPLC’s Drew vs. You in November, Ainsley's Angels of Southwest Louisiana is a certified, non-profit chapter of the myTEAM Triumph. With a mission to serve as an athletic ride-along program created for persons who would normally not be able to experience endurance events, such as 5Ks, 10Ks, half and full marathons, triathlons, to name but a few, Ainsley’s Angels is growing rapidly.
The team's "Angels" are able-bodied runners who utilize specialized jogging chairs to guide their "Captain" in endurance events. The organization’s namesake, “Captain” Ainsley Rossiter, has completed over 35 endurance events, to include the Marine Corps Marathon and five half marathons, with the help of her “Angels” over the last four years.
Ainsley was diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic nerve disorder called Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD). Ainsley will be 9 years old on December 10th and her illness is rapidly progressing. At the time of her diagnosis, only 7 cases of INAD were known in the United States; most children with this diagnosis pass on before reaching 10 years of age, as there is no cure or treatment to help slow down this very progressive and terminal disease.
As Ainsley’s father, active duty Marine Corps Major Kim Rossiter, explains, “Running has proved to be an amazing therapy for our family and friends, as the smiles brought on while Ainsley is “Rolling with the Wind” has proved to be an inspiration to many. The positive energy surrounding the start line, the children smiling from ear to ear, the fearlessness of the athletes, the normalcy of the family, and the love Ainsley’s Angels has for one another is a therapy like no other. And we aim to spread this amazing experience to as many people as possible!”
Their next event is the Swamp Stomp Half Marathon on December 8th at Sam Houston State Park and the Ainsley’s Angels President, Kristine Seaward, and the young Captains of Ainsley’s Angels are challenging you: Do you have what it takes to be an Angel?
To get involved as an “Angel”, “Captain”, volunteer, or sponsor visit www.ainsleysangels.org or www.mtt-ainsleysangels-swla.org to read about upcoming events and to find out more about "Ainsley" and why she is such an inspiration to so many. You may also contact the chapter directly at ainsleysangels@yahoo.com, they hope to hear from you soon!