COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) – A Saratoga County man and his 9-year-old son, who’s living with cerebral palsy, are flying to Seattle to begin a cross-country journey.
Shaun and Shamus Evans are spreading the gift of mobility.
Shaun began taking his son out on runs with him when he was just a baby, and at the time, he was training with the hopes of making the U.S. Olympic marathon team.
As Shamus got older, the pair started competing together, and after completing a six-hour ultra-marathon, Shamus helped inspire his father for their next journey – a cross-country trip.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s here, and we’re actually getting ready to go as we scramble around with our last minute preparations over the last couple days,” Shaun said. “I’m ready. I’ve done a lot of running, and I’m just ready to put it to the test this summer. We’re ready.”
Shaun and Shamus will be running over 3,000 miles for Ainsley’s Angels donating running chariots to approximately 20 different families. Ainsley’s Angels promotes involvement and active lifestyles for children with disabilities.
“That’s really what it’s all about all summer long,” Shaun said. “I’m going to have Shamus pulling me along, but I’m gonna have kids along the way that we’re donating chairs, and that’s my inspiration to get from one stop to the next. And that’s going to be the best part of the trip is seeing the joy on these kids’ faces when they get to roll.”
The Mykytyn family of Oneonta will benefit from Shaun and Shamus’ run. Kirt and Barbara’s 18-year-old son Nick is also living with cerebral palsy.
They wondered what activities they could do with their son until they heard the Evans’ story just a couple months ago.
“It got us inspired to run some more with Nick cause Nick decided that he really enjoys running now,” Kirt said.
Shortly thereafter, the Mykytyns put their inspiration to the test and ran a in a local 5K in May and another event with the Evans in June.
“Nick realized how much he enjoyed the wind in his face as [Ainsley’s Angels] described it, and the people cheering for him, that we’re just gonna keep signing up,” Kirt said.
One issue the family has is running with an older chariot. But last week, Shaun texted Kirt to tell him Nick would be receiving the final chair on the Evans family’s Power to Push.
“They’re going to love it,” Shamus said.
The plan is to complete the mission in New York City by September 1 to give the Mykytyn family their new chariot
The Mykytyns said they will also now work to raise money for Ainsley’s Angels.
