When my identical twin boys, Jamie and Alex—whom we call Alie—were both diagnosed with autism at just 21 months old, my husband and I felt completely lost and overwhelmed. It was the early 90s, a time when resources, support, and educational information were scarce. Honestly, neither of us fully understood what the diagnosis would mean or how severe our sons’ challenges would be. The uncertainty was terrifying, yet there was no time to dwell on despair. We had two beautiful children to care for, so we focused on moving forward, determined to find as many tools, therapies, and opportunities as we could to support them.
At first, our energy went almost entirely into education and therapy, seeking every resource that might help them grow. But after a couple of years, we realized that our approach needed to expand. Jamie and Alie are severely autistic, low on the spectrum, and non-verbal. Structured learning alone wasn’t enough. Their lives couldn’t be only therapy and instruction. We wanted them to experience joy and fun, just like any other child.
So, we tried it all—basketball, horseback riding, karate, gymnastics, swimming, you name it. Because they couldn’t tell us what they liked, we observed their reactions carefully, noting which activities sparked delight and which they tolerated. Then, we added the activities they enjoyed most into their lives. One day, a friend who ran marathons suggested we try running. I’ll admit, we thought she was crazy. Jamie and Alie had never been more than an arm’s length away from us. The idea of letting them run freely felt impossible.
But everything changed when they were 15. We went to watch a local race, standing at the finish line as music played, the crowd cheered, and runners streamed past. Suddenly, we saw something magical: our boys began jumping up and down, fully enthralled, their faces alive with joy in a way we had never seen before. In that instant, a spark ignited inside them—a passion that was unmistakable. From that moment, we knew we had to help them pursue it.
We discovered a running club that specialized in supporting athletes with special needs. Coaches paired our boys with experienced runners who guided them through pacing, hydration, directions, and even how to tie their shoes. Indoor tracks weren’t nearly as exciting as the outdoors, so three times a week, Jamie and Alie would team up with their coaches and take off running through local trails and paths, feeling the wind on their faces, exploring new routes, and embracing nature.
At first, our goal was simply to give them something they loved. But it quickly became clear that Alie had a special talent for competitive racing. One of the coaches began training him privately, helping him refine his skills and build endurance. By 2010, at the age of 20, the twins ran their first marathon. We had no expectations beyond hoping they would enjoy the experience. Jamie ran alongside my husband and finished in 6 hours, 13 minutes, and 41 seconds, smiling proudly at the finish line. Alie, however, stunned us all—he crossed in 3 hours, 27 minutes, and 47 seconds, radiating pure joy.
Since then, Alie has competed in hundreds of races, often winning his age group. He set a personal record at the 2019 Boston Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 3 seconds. Jamie continues to run too, with the same enthusiasm and love he has always had, proving that success isn’t only measured in speed.
Now 29, the boys’ passion for running remains as strong as ever. Their excitement is infectious, and it inspired our entire family to become runners. We now share this love together, enjoying the health benefits, the camaraderie, and the joy of being part of a community. Seeing them happy in something they love is one of the greatest gifts of my life.
Runners at races often approach Jamie and Alie to give high fives or cheer them on, and watching those interactions has been incredible. Their story has reached national and international audiences through newspapers, television, and even a book I wrote about them. People from all over the world share how inspired they are by our boys’ achievements and their love for running.
Life at home is still challenging. We navigate self-injury, severe behaviors, and the reality that our sons aren’t developmentally ready for jobs, driving, or typical adult independence. But running gives them joy, and it gives us a focus—a reason to celebrate each day and make life meaningful. When parents ask how we discovered this passion for our children, the answer is simple: perseverance. We kept searching, for years, until we found it.
It took 15 years, but we found what sparked joy for Jamie and Alie. And in doing so, we found it for ourselves. Every child, no matter their challenges, deserves a passion to light up their life. And every parent deserves to witness that joy—it truly transforms the whole family.
