Vision 5K a Success
Each year, world-class runners and weekend walkers come together for the annual walk/run event, Vision 5K. Perkins students, staff, alumni and friends combined efforts to raise critical funding for programs and services that enhance the quality of life for thousands of children and adults who are blind or visually impaired.
Funds raised during the 2009 Vision 5K benefited Perkins School for the Blind, The Carroll Center for the Blind, MAB Community Services and National Braille Press.
Its still not too late to show your support for Vision 5K! Support Brad Trapeni or Perkins student team, "The Dashing Defenders."
Read more about this inspiring event below.
Perkins Student Runner Inspires with Speed
Moments before the start of the 2009 Vision 5K, Perkins School for the Blind student Brad Trapeni, 19, was still waiting for the sighted guide who would run beside him. His brother, Matt, 21, had miscalculated his travel time and would miss the start. The loud speaker summoned, Jack McAvoy, as backup guide. Brad’s mom, Mary Beth Trapeni, gave Jack a quick primer in guiding Brad. “He has some vision, so just warn him if there are potholes or things in the way. He is hearing impaired, too, so speak loudly.”
“How fast does he run a mile?” Jack asked.
“Six minutes,” she said, “maybe seven. He hasn’t been training.”
Jack’s eyes widened, wondering whether this shy, slight, studious-looking young man really had that much juice in his sneakers. “Well, let’s see if I can keep up with you Brad,” said Jack, peeling off his T-shirt for the run. Brad gave a slightly impish smile, looked over his glasses at Jack, nodded, and just said, “Okay.”
The starting gun split the air and the runners were off, with Brad and Jack at the rear of the pack in their time slot. Meanwhile, Matt Trapeni wheeled into campus on his bike, having pumped hard all the way from his Jamaica Plain apartment. He wasn’t going to miss running with his brother. He traced the route, found Brad, and relieved Jack halfway through the course. Brad, part of the Perkins men’s team calling themselves the Dashing Defenders, crossed the finish line in 11th place in the overall visually impaired division – a notable feat considering that the top four runners in the race were all among the world’s elite blind athletes. His time of 22:19 placed Brad 49th in the entire field of 730 runners of all abilities.
Brad had honed his running skills, as had Matt, at Reading High School before enrolling at Perkins last fall. Born with cerebral palsy with only partial vision and hearing, Brad has been running for years. Just days before the Vision 5K, Brad had won the mile event in a dual meet between Perkins and Newton North High School, one of the top rated public school track teams in the nation.
“What a killer runner that kid is,” gasped Jack at the finish. “He is fast! He inspired me, I’ll tell you.” Brad and his brother simply exchanged knowing, mischievous grins.
Feel Inspired?
For more information about this event, please contact Stephanie Marvel, Campaign Associate, at stephanie.marvel@Perkins.org or at 617-972-7868.
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