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My name's XXXXX and I am 17 years old and just graduated from high school. I just read your article in the West Shore Sun and I immediately wanted to contact you.
After reading your article about Girls With Sole program, I was deeply touched. I am so glad someone finally made such a wonderful program for girls that experienced sexual of physical abuse. Although I have, fortunately, never experienced sexual abuse, I have suffered through anorexia and bulimia. I would isolate myself from everyone and everything I once loved.
It was a dark experience, to say the least. But once my friends and family insisted I seek help, I knew I had to turn myself around.
Exercise and just being active became the light for me. I was no longer counting every calorie I ate and constantly stressing over the way I looked. It was hard to overcome the addiction, but thankfully I had support. Once I started exercising I realized I am worth so much more than the way I was treating myself. It lifted my spirit up and provided me hope. As a result, I now know that if I could overcome my self destructive nature with being physically active, I know anyone can.
I cannot tell you how inspired I am from reading about this program. I hope to in the future reach out to not only girls but anyone who has fallen victim of abuse. I think Girls With Sole is a great alternative program to girls in need of help, especially those who are afraid or hesitate to seek help (like I was). I have faith that this program will do great works in anyone's life. And again, I cannot express how much I am inspired and truly understand your mission!
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"Liz, thanks for all your participation in making the weekend at Winterfest Triathlon Camp a fun one! Your energy and enthusiasm kept me pushing harder each day. I realized that I was stronger and faster than I was giving myself credit for as a result.
I couldn't figure out how or why you were so fast until I checked out the Girls With Sole website this morning. You've got a great race history, and a lot of notable accomplishments!
More importantly, you've got a real gift to bring an important issue to the forefront through your Girls With Sole organization. Thanks for sharing your story and your organization with us. I'll bike and run a little harder in the Lake Placid Ironman now that I have even more reason to be inspired!"
Mike Toth |
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"As the Director of the We Run This City YMCA Youth Marathon Program, I had the opportunity to work with Liz Ferro when she volunteered to be a running mentor and coach.
During that time she was paired with a twelve year old girl who was one of two kids that had chosen to run the Half Marathon instead of the one mile distance that the rest of the group would partake in on race day at the Cleveland Marathon.
Liz Ferro was a wonderful mentor and her energy and enthusiasm was both infectious and motivating. It was easy to see how much she cared that the child she mentored reached her goal, and that she wanted the encouragement she showed the child to continue to help her long after she crossed the finish line.
I am happy to say that that is exactly what happened. The young girl that Liz Ferro mentored is now in high school, doing very well in school and is still running today! The self-esteem and pride gained from programs such as We Run This City and mentors like Liz Ferro are invaluable to the kids in our community."
Tara Taylor, We Run This City Youth Marathon Program Director |
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