Posted on 11/06/2006 5:18:06 PM PST by SandRat
11/6/2006 - NEW YORK (AFPN) -- Watching nearly 40,000 runners cross the finish line of the New York City Marathon Nov. 5 makes it easy to see that each one has a story -- and the telling doesn't end at the finish line.
While most runners push themselves to exhaustion through the 26.2 miles of urban roads, Monica Szymanski takes on the marathon to re-energize her life.
"I'm still in shock being able to accomplish it," Szymanski said. "I have good days and bad days. Today was more of a phenomenal day."
The annual race comes at the time when the former senior airman feels depleted of optimism. Szymanski was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks after her father died from it and when she was taking care of her three-month old son without her deployed husband's assistance. The required surgery would result in the loss of her left leg.
"The aftermath is very challenging. What inspires me is knowing that I can see my son and my husband everyday," Szymanski said.
A year after her cancer, she met Achilles members who encouraged her. However, it wasn't until she saw the strength and will of disabled veterans, recovering from their injuries overseas, that their determination would motivate her to push to new limits.
The recharge she gains at the marathon doesn't come from finishing in 3:10:49 either. It comes from her 'wounded warriors' teammates on the Achilles Freedom Team. This year's group of 50 and their inspiration fills her with a stronger purpose - just as past gatherings have done.
"I think that it's great they're out here," said Officer Jimmy Griffin with the New York Police Department.
They're an inspiration to a lot of people. And their showing that having a disability isn't a handicap, he said.
Szymanski joined the Air Force Reserves as a medic out of a sense of duty. And being a 'military brat' of an Air Force captain, she knew what to expect. As soon as she arrived at her unit, she was volunteering to activate and get overseas to make a difference.
That hasn't stopped. She plans to start an Achilles Chapter in Ohio where her husband is now stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
"I know that there are others out there who are disabled that want to get out," she said. "I know that I am not the only one who wants to enjoy life outside the house and not feel that you're limited so where can you go."
Achilles Freedom Team 'wounded warrior' Monica Szymanski gets help with her hand-crank cycle from New York Fire Department volunteers after she completed the New York City Marathon Nov. 5. The former Reserve senior airman, who lost her leg due to cancer, joined nearly 50 disabled veterans for the marathon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Shad Eidson)
Brave Warriors Yet and Always
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