By Vilma Novak—
PERTH AMBOY – You may have seen him around town, walking to the pizza place or walking to the park; you may not have seen him on his way to Central Park, NYC, where he goes two or three times a week to run with Achilles International or the NY Road Runners Club.
Well he’s Patrick Miller a remarkable fellow with an unfettered determination to rise above his perceived physical limitations. Why is he remarkable? Well, you see, Patrick was born with Cerebral Palsy and when he was very young his doctors told him he would always need a wheelchair to get around. Patrick and his mother, Ila, didn’t accept that determination as an absolute truth.
Ila encouraged Patrick to be independent and taught him that he could do what he wants to do if he put his mind to it so Patrick decided to figure out how to get around without the need of a wheelchair. He figured it out and hasn’t used one in more than 10 years. Patrick got out of his wheelchair and onto a walker using leg braces for support. The doctors told Patrick he would always need leg braces, again the truth of the assertion was questioned and Patrick found that he didn’t need to use braces at all. Patrick didn’t stop there, he was aware of Achilles International a running/walking club whose mission it is to “enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics in order to promote personal achievement, enhance self- esteem, and lower barriers to living a fulfilling life.”
His mother discovered Achilles International when Patrick was 12 years old and Patrick joined them for a while. Achilles is affiliated with NY Road Runners whose members gather in Central Park to practice a couple of days a week every week in all kinds of weather. Patrick reconnected with Achilles in January of 2012 and has since lost more than 60 lbs. He has participated in many races including the New York Half-Marathon. He is one of Achilles’ most dedicated athletes and will be a speaker at their annual “Hope and Possibility” banquet at the end of June. This is what Achilles International has written about Patrick on their webpage:
“Patrick Miller is an original Achilles kid. Lucky for us, decades after his first race with Achilles he returned to us in January 2012. He embodies the true Achilles spirit – never missing a workout regardless of the weather and persevering through his races right until he triumphantly crosses that finish line. Patrick is an incredible addition to our Achilles family and we just can’t imagine Central Park workouts without him! “
Patrick is enrolled to run in this year’s November 3, New York City Marathon with “Team Run as One” of the LUNGevity Foundation, an organization that raises funds for innovative research into earlier detection of lung cancer and more effective treatments. If you would like to help Patrick raise funds for this cause you can do so by mailing your donation, please make your check payable to LUNGevity Foundation, and include Patrick Miller’s name in the memo line on the check.
Mail the check to:
LUNGevity Foundation
Attn: ING NYC Marathon
218 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 540
Chicago, IL 60604
LUNGevity Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
