Kim Newby is running Boston for stroke survivors like herself
"I am determined to turn a challenging and traumatic time in my life into something inspirational and meaningful for myself and for other survivors."
In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston.
Name: Kim Newby
Age: 39
From: Tyngsborough
In the fall of 2022, I had two ischemic strokes at the same time. I had lost my balance, could not speak, my face had become numb, I had double vision and I had lost control over my arms and legs. I remember laying in the ER staring at the ceiling lights trying to make peace with death that day; however, I could not get over the idea of leaving my kids (aged seven and nine) to grow up without their mom. I was med-flighted to Tufts in Boston. There they performed an endovascular thrombectomy, where they went into my head and removed the clots. The doctors at Tufts in Boston had saved my life.
Like Tedy Bruschi, I had a hole in my heart and shortly after my stroke I had the procedure to close the hole. Today I am physically recovered and continuing to heal emotionally. Coming close to death and walking away from my stroke with no disabilities has made me want to live and love more. I am determined to turn a challenging and traumatic time in my life into something inspirational and meaningful for myself and for other survivors.
Tedy’s Team has given me the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon (something I used to doubt I could do) which has allowed me to continue to heal emotionally and learn to trust my body again. I have an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and Tedy’s Team has given me an avenue to pay it forward. I want to run to raise money for those who were not as fortunate as I was, I want to run to raise awareness of the warning signs of strokes, and I want to run because I can…something I will never take for granted!
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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