As many of you know, I amputated my left foot on 08/21/2017 as a result of a motorcycle crash in 2006 as a police officer. Since my amputation, my quality of life has improved dramatically and I have taken up running. I was unable to run (pain free) for 11 years and being able to do so now is phenominal. Since I received my running leg in January 2018, I have completed a 5k, 10k, 15k & a half-marathon. My last goal is to run a marathon and what better marathon is there to run other than The Boston Marathon. I have become great friends with a 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing survivor, Rebekah Gregory and I am a board member of her foundation, Rebekah's Angels. Rebekahs' Angels is a 501(c)3 foundation that assists children affected with PTSD to receive treatment that they need. This is a great cause that I stand behind (on one leg) and support. I experienced a traumatic event as a child and know first hand how significant treatment can be. In order to run in the Boston marathon on 04/15/2019, I need to raise $6,000. Every penny will go to Rebekah's Angels to assist familes and children suffering with PTSD.
On April 15, 2013, Rebekah Gregory’s life took an unexpected turn when her and her five-year-old son, Noah, became survivors of the Boston Marathon Bombing. The emotional aftermath for Noah was far worse than the physical trial, impacting his daily decisions, desires, and interactions, introducing a new element of fear that inhibited Noah from living a normal childhood. Because of the support Noah and Rebekah received from millions of earthly angels around the world, Rebekah’s Angels was founded. Five years later, the bombing is merely a story to Noah, not something he is emotionally attached to. Rebekah and Noah's story exists to change the trajectory of other stories. Rebekah has remained positive and used her recovery as a platform to speak out and encourage people through their own obstacles in life. She is the founder/president of Rebekah’s Angels, with hopes to give back ten fold, the support she has experienced from millions across the world.
PTSD is a significant problem in children that requires early diagnosis and treatment in order to avoid the trauma experienced as the child grows. Many children are misdiagnosed or not receiving the necessary treatment at all. Rebekah’s Angels is determined to bridge the gap and fund the PTSD treatment necessary to restore each victim’s childhood.
PTSD is widely known as a diagnosis for veterans of military combat, but trauma comes in various forms and children can often meet the criteria for PTSD. Through speaking events, interviews and social media Rebekah's Angels brings awareness to the disorder as well as the importance of treating PTSD at a young age so that trauma does not linger, grow deeper, and secretly spread in adulthood to form addictions, emotional instability, relational struggles, mental health issues, and educational setbacks. Rebekah’s Angels also brings awareness to the success of treating PTSD as a child.
Our mission is to raise as much funding as possible through events, donations and corporate sponsorship to make treatment accessible to children suffering from PTSD. Most families coming out of a PTSD circumstance do not have the means to afford this specialized trauma-focused treatment and insurance does not cover it. We are passionate about going the distance to increase funding in order to see hundreds of children freed from the grips of PTSD.
http://www.fox26houston.com/health/life-changing-gift-for-student-with-ptsd
www.rebekahsangels.org
https://www.facebook.com/leoamplbk/
