Ironman for Batten Disease

Dear Family and Friends,

As many of you know, our family has enjoyed competing in a variety of running and triathlon events. This year, Derek’s oldest brother, Adam, has taken his training to a whole new level, and has qualified for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, on Saturday, October 11 (tomorrow!). For triathletes, there is no bigger event than this. The race will consist of a 2.4 mile swim in the ocean, a 112 mile bike ride through the sweltering lava fields of the Big Island and a 26.2 mile run--all in the same day!

We are thrilled for Adam’s success and even more excited that he has chosen to dedicate this race to the memory of our brothers, Tyson and Tim. A few weeks ago 7 News, the ABC affiliate in Denver, ran a segment on the evening news in which they interviewed Adam about his training and his brothers. (See below)



It has been four years since we lost Tyson and two years since we lost Tim to Juvenille Batten Disease. While we miss them dearly, we are so grateful for their strong spirits that have taught each of us, in one way or another, about the purpose of our lives here on earth. It really is a privilege to have Tyson and Tim as brothers and to have been blessed with opportunities for developing compassion and charity through service to them. There is no question that their spirits are living still, and that we will be reunited as a family after this life.

As a family, we continue to participate as members of Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA) in an effort to support families who are still struggling with this rare and heart-wrenching disease. If you’d like to make a contribution to BDSRA in memory of Tyson and Tim, please send it in care of Derek’s parents (contact us personally for their address) or follow this link:
http://www.bdsra.org/join.htm

You can learn more about Batten Disease and see photos of Tyson and Tim at http://www.bdsra.org/faces/facesusu-z.htm.

Thanks for your love and support!