BEYOND THE PAVEMENT
February 14th, 2024
Jen and Jenny are good friends from Texas who share far more than a few letters in their first names. They met at a Bible group years ago and have since conquered countless workouts, 5Ks and 10Ks; have worked together to keep themselves and their community active; and have even started their own social media group to share their adventures!
After trying other mobility devices to get around, they now use the GRIT Freedom Chair for their runs. And, despite being tremendously busy people—in their local community, in their families, and in every category between—Jen and Jenny were willing to take some time to tell GRIT a bit about their story.
From their experiences with other equipment, to their community-bolstered fundraising feats, to Wonder Woman 5Ks, to helping others with their own fundraising, Jen and Jenny have so much to tell. We could not be more grateful for this chance to pick their brains (and to have met them in person)! Read on below to hear how this mileage-crushing duo have been moving across, through, over, and beyond the pavement.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?
Jen: Jenny was born with cerebral palsy and diagnosed at eighteen months. From early on, she had people in her life supporting her and encouraging her to do “all the things,” including her mom, who wasn’t going to allow Jenny to use CP as an excuse to not try things.
Walkers, crutches, and braces weren’t going to stop Jenny! She was six years old when she officially started walking.
I have loved running since I was a kid and think that running is the best way to see the world. My husband and I co-own a gym and we love to see people become better, stronger versions of themselves.
Jenny and I very quickly became good friends. I was running one day and was frustrated that Jenny couldn’t see the views that I got to see. Cars couldn’t drive on the trail where I was running and it was too far for Jenny to go with her walker.
I looked up adult jogging strollers and that’s where this journey began. When I asked Jenny to run with me, she said, “Do you know who I am?” (referring to her disability) and I told her, “We are going to get you a chair and I’ll push you!”
So, we purchased another type of jogging stroller that Jenny could sit in, but it didn’t have a front swivel wheel and was really difficult for me to maneuver.
Our friend, Adam, had run with us several times and had seen me struggling with the jogging stroller. He met the GRIT Freedom chair crew at a Spartan Race, and—knowing how much Jenny and I loved to run together—Adam came back and told us, “YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS CHAIR!” Less than a month later, the GRIT Freedom Chair crew was delivering the chair to us!
How did you raise funds for the Freedom Chair? What was the process like?
Jen: We sold the old chair we had been using and created a GoFundMe campaign. We shared it with all of our friends. Fortunately, we have an amazing village—everyone loves Jenny—so we were able to raise the money in less than two weeks! We told everyone what this chair would do for Jenny’s freedom and they were all about it!
HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN SUCCESSFUL GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN
What does a typical Freedom Chair outing look like for you?
Jen: I pick Jenny up from home and we use a step stool to get her in and out of my truck or (Jenny’s favorite) the JEEP! (Side note: Jenny has always wanted a red sports car, so we now have red Trail Handle covers on the GRIT chair!) When we arrive on “the square,” which is where we usually start our runs, we get Jenny all set up in her chair and then run around the cute, little town of Granbury, TX. Granbury has an amazing hike-and-bike trail that makes it super easy to pick a run of any distance and choice of hills.
We usually do between three and six miles, depending on the race we are training for. We ALWAYS end our run at Taste and See, a precious little restaurant that has a salad bar and a selection of frozen yogurt! If we miss a week, the owners and staff will ask where we were!
How often do you use the Freedom Chair?
Jen: We do “training runs” once a week and, so far, we’ve competed in a 10K and two 5Ks! We are already training for our next one!
Jen, can you talk a bit about what it’s like to be the pusher of a Freedom Chair?
Jen: Having pushed another kind of chair, I can tell you that the GRIT Freedom Chair has been a game-changer for us and our adventures! The chair is so easy to push, turn, and control. Jenny is able to help with the hand levers on the hills, too, which has helped us pick up the pace where I used to have to walk! You should hear Jenny “squeal” when we go down hills! When we are in a race, we don’t use the brakes! We just yell “On your left, we have no brakes!” and everyone gets out of the way.
Jenny, can you talk a bit about what it’s like to ride in the Freedom Chair?
Jenny: I am very grateful for my chair. My chair gives me freedom that I can’t get in a car or anywhere else. I love going through the air and I’m able to see all the scenery!
Would you change anything about the chair? If so, what would it be?
Jen: We haven’t upgraded to the better drivetrain, but really need to. It would allow Jenny to get a little more “umph” from each push of the hand levers.
Who would be a really great fit for Freedom Chair?
Jen: Someone who is adventurous, not afraid of “getting out there,” and who likes to enjoy the fresh air and smell the flowers!
If you could give any advice to anyone thinking about getting a Freedom Chair, what would you tell them?
Jen: Don’t wait! Do it now!
What do you admire most about Jenny?
Jen: Jenny constantly inspires me to have a more positive outlook on life. She NEVER complains about her disability and she’s always looking for ways to help others. She may feel limited in her physical abilities, but she is NOT limited on her ability to love well! Here is a great example of her amazing heart:
Jen went to Haiti several years ago and told Jenny that the kids there need and love Band-Aids (just like ALL kids!) but that they can’t easily get them there. Jenny started a collection of band-aids and sent a shipping box of Band-Aids to Haiti!
Jenny, what do you admire most about Jen?
Jenny: She never quits, she always says “yes” and never says “no.” She makes everything happen. She is a blessing and I couldn’t imagine my life without her.
Helping others get out there!
Not long after Jenny and Jen got their Freedom Chair, they helped another friend do the same! Tammy, who works out at Jen’s gym, has a son named Caden. Caden has muscular dystrophy and uses a lightweight manual chair and an electric chair. They found these two chairs to be ill-equipped for outdoor adventure and too cumbersome to transport, respectively.
Tammy ran a race with Jen and Jenny and thought Caden could take advantage of his own Freedom Chair. The three met up to give Caden a demo ride, which he loved, and then they got to work building him a GoFundMe page. Thanks to the support of Jenny, Jen, and their community, Caden now rides his very own all-terrain Freedom Chair.
Tammy wrote, after receiving their chair, “I wish I could somehow express the absolute high of joy, happiness, and gratitude that I am feeling from the love that everyone has given—to how happy I am that I can take my son with me and include him in my journey and the freedom it will give to Caden. I am so overwhelmed with it all.”
Final thoughts…
To Jenny, to Jen, and the network around you, we thank you for your time and the way you perpetually support your tribe. We couldn’t be happier to share our own community with yours and can’t wait to see where the trails take you.
For anyone reading this looking to speak with other active, outdoor adaptive athletes like Jenny, Jen, Tammy, and Caden, come on down to the Facebook page dedicated specifically to that! We call it Beyond the Pavement and you can take a peek by clicking this link. Or, call GRIT Freedom Chair to get the gears turning toward your own Freedom Chair!