There is hope and love in every stride of Go Eddie 5k
Friends and family have been an integral part of Eddie Miller’s ongoing recovery from a 2011 accident that nearly took his life. As always, Eddie will be helped to the starting line to kick off this year’s Go Eddie 5k event in Mt. Hope on Saturday, May 4.
Eddie Miller continues to be a source of inspiration for many people who know and love him, and to show their support, his former schoolmates and the Mt. Hope community will host the annual Go Eddie 5k fundraiser on Saturday, May 4.
Now 24 years old, Miller was involved in an auto accident in December 2011. While the diagnosis for his survival was grim, he proved to be a fighter, and with the help of family and friends and a strong will to overcome his accident regardless of the work involved, he has made huge strides.
Rather than wallow in self-pity, Miller and his family have chosen to rejoice in the victories in life that come each day, and because of it, they have seen him overcome the odds as he continues to recover from a near-death experience.
This year’s professionally timed event will take place at the Event Center at Homestead in Mt. Hope. Registration will begin at 4 p.m. with a 1-mile family fun walk slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. At 5 p.m. the kids’ race will take place, and the 5k race will begin at 5:30 p.m.
The course is a winding track that begins with a long downhill trek on paved roads. The race will arrive at the Canal-Dover intersection and retrace itself up a long and winding climb to the finish line at the Event Center.
There are a number of different age groups and men’s and women’s divisions for the race. Awards will be presented to the top overall men and women runners, who will receive a $500 gift card to Homestead Furniture. The first-place winner of each division will receive a $50 Mt. Hope Merchants gift card, and the winner of the kids’ race will receive a new bicycle from Mt. Hope Bicycles.
Those hungry can have the offerings of a build-a-burger bar, french fries, ice cream and a sundae bar.
While food, fellowship and racing events are drawing cards, the reason people have flocked to this event over the years has been to help raise funds for Miller and his family, who continue to face medical bills.
Miller’s list of medical treatments could weigh heavy, but his attitude and outlook on life help him navigate through these difficult times.
Miller receives Botox injections every three months to alleviate wrist and arm muscle pain and to increase his mobility. He has come far enough along that he can write his name without assistance, and he will soon begin working with a therapist to navigate steps.
“Never give up is his number-one motto and has been a huge factor with his progress,” said Leroy Miller, Eddie’s father. “His positive attitude has been a huge factor with his progress.”
Leroy Miller said his son is encouraging to everyone he sees, serving as an inspiration for those facing any of life’s challenges and setbacks. He said his wife Esther has dedicated herself to sacrificing daily to help Eddie overcome and gain back his independence. He also said Eddie’s classmates have been instrumental in the ongoing challenge of raising funds to help meet medical costs.
“Thanks to Lavern Hershberger and his classmates to continue their effort to commit time and sponsor such an event,” Leroy Miller said. “It’s been more than seven years since the accident, but with the massive community support, we can still be able to help this young man to fulfill new opportunities to improve for a better life.”
Eddie’s father laid out some of the daily hardships and treatments his son faces. Mondays see him cycling to stimulate muscles and aid circulation. On Tuesdays he has therapy at 7 a.m., where occupational therapist Ty Myers works with walking.
Mondays and Wednesdays see his mother work with him on standing exercises. Plus he works for an hour on an E-stim machine that is programmed to stimulate right leg function. He also does hand and eye coordination therapy.
Thursdays are dedicated to walking, sit-ups and balance-related exercise with and without a walker. Fridays see him back to Myers for walking exercise, and Saturdays begin with one hour of work on the E-stim bike along with working on sitting workouts in his chair.
Almost daily Eddie receives visitors who encourage and talk to him. Leroy Miller shared one visitor’s stop recently, a stop that really moved him.
“A gentleman came to me and said he was at Eddie’s last basketball game,” Leroy Miller said. “He said Eddie was very active, just doing what he loved. The next day he got the news about the accident, and to this day he said it still haunts him.”
He went on to say the way life can change in a heartbeat can happen to anyone, and those instances can have long-lasting results.
“A lot of good has come out of the accident if we learn to accept and move forward,” Leroy Miller said, noting that seeing his son work so hard and keep such a great attitude has been inspirational for him, his family and many. “I challenge anyone who faces setbacks or faces change in a sudden way to just be yourself and let God walk you through it.”
Eddie Miller’s entire story can be read at www.GoEddie5k.com, where those interested in joining the 5k event can find a registration form for all of the races. Forms may be texted to 330-466-3169, emailed to goeddie5k@gmail.com or mailed to GoEddie5K, P.O. Box 50, Mt. Hope, OH 44654.
The Event Center at Homestead is located at 8226 OH-241, Fredericksburg.