Numotion Foundation Continues Funding of the “Gaylord Gauntlet” in Support of Adaptive Athletes and the Gaylord Sports Association
In June, the Numotion Foundation continued its support of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare’s “Gaylord Gauntlet,” a 5k obstacle race to benefit adaptive athletes and the Gaylord Sports Association. Following the event, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare’s Assistant Director of Events & Donor Relations, Katelyn Muolo provided the following impact story.
A rare COVID-induced condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) left Lenny Lamarre paralyzed and fully dependent on a ventilator to breathe.
“There were days where I thought I was going to be in that bed for the rest of my life,” said the Massachusetts resident.
“When you can’t move and you can’t speak, it’s really hard to believe people when they say, ‘You’ll beat this. You will walk again.’ It’s a very difficult thing to trust,” he explained.
Lenny came to Gaylord Hospital in Connecticut for intensive inpatient care and rehabilitation where he worked to regain his function and independence. During his three-month stay, Lenny learned about the Gaylord Gauntlet, an annual 5k obstacle run on Gaylord’s campus that supports Gaylord Sports Association’s adaptive sports programming. Lenny told his family and Gaylord staff that someday he would take on the challenge and give back to the organization that gave him his “life back.”
Only nine months after his discharge, Lenny and his team – aptly named “Lenny’s Legion” – of family, friends and co-workers returned to Wallingford, Connecticut to compete in the Gaylord Gauntlet. Now able to walk independently, Lenny was grateful to participate in tribute to his family, friends, and the medical professionals who supported him through his difficult experience.
“Never think that you can’t do something,” he says. “Just keep driving forward and don’t defeat yourself. Always keep going and think positive.”
To learn more about the Gaylord Gauntlet and how you may be able to support future events, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/GaylordGauntlet/