The Ohio chapter of Compassion in Action, a group whose mission is to “offer hope to families in our community experiencing medical crisis by providing assistance, guidance, and encouragement” will sponsor the “Who’s Your Hero?” 5K Fun Run/Walk in Bellville on Sunday, Sept. 28, to benefit three local families of children with special needs.
Aaron Farnsworth is one of those children. A Bellville native, 13-year-old Aaron attends 8th grade at Clear Fork Middle School. He was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 3. In 2011, he lost his ability to walk and now uses a wheelchair for which the family must make modifications to the home, particularly the bathroom, for Aaron’s safety.
Additionally, the family requires a new van with a ramp to allow transportation for Aaron and his wheelchair.
Aaron enjoys Legos, video games, and is a First Class Boy Scout, only two ranks short of Eagle Scout, which is his goal.
Aaron lives at home with his parents, Jason and Heather, his older sister Alisha, 18, and his 2 younger sisters Jessica, 9, and Natalie, 3.
The Bishop family, which includes young Kaleia Bishop and her mother, will also benefit from the event. The Bishops reside in Lexington where Kaleia attends kindergarten at Western Elementary School. Kaleia was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and receives physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
Kaleia suffers petit mal seizures daily, wears braces on her feet and legs, and must take various medications daily. She uses a wheelchair, though she needs assistance in maneuvering it.
She uses sign language to communicate, and enjoys attending church, listening to music, shopping, being outdoors, and visiting the zoo.
Twins Jazmine and Janessa Puckett will also benefit from the event. They were born on Sept. 28, 2013, 15 weeks early. Jazmine weighed 1 pound, 11 ounces and Janessa weighed 1 pound, 7 ounces. The twins were hospitalized for 118 days.
Jazmine was born with one kidney and both twins suffer from acid reflux.
Their father, John Puckett, died as the result of an accident when a car he was working on fell on him. The twins, now home, live with their mother, Martha Puckett, their older brother Mason, 7, and older sister McKinzie, 2.
All proceeds from the run will benefit these families.
Registration cut off for the run is 12:45 p.m. The fun run begins at 1 p.m., and the 5K begins at 1:30 p.m. at the New Life Church of Christ, 195 Durbin Avenue, Bellville.
In addition to the run, families may enjoy face painting, a bounce house, and games, as well as a silent auction and concessions.
For more information visit the website.
