Dear Dr. Levitt,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and wellness. I have been wanting to write to you for some time now, however like all things time evades us.

When I was born I had bilateral club feet and a few other abnormalities. My grandmother, Helen Phillips, was the one who referred my parents to you, when you were still at Variety Children’s Hospital (now of course Miami Children’s Hospital). From what I am told you worked on all three of her children, my Dad and his two brothers who also had club feet. When I originally met you I believe I was about 3 months old. My parents have told me after their initial meeting with you, you gave them great confidence, thank you for that. Mainly because my legs and feet were twisted and contorted in all sorts of ways, needless to say I was an orthopedic mess, no parent wants for their child. The story that has been relayed to me several times, is that you told my parents not to worry. You could in-fact cosmetically fix my feet and legs to look normal, however there was no guarantee that I could run, walk or play like every other normal child.

My last surgery with you was when I was eight, back in 1986. Since then I have had little bone or structural issues that would have resulted into me seeing you again. A few years ago I saw you regarding an achilles issues, however you referred me to a wonderful doctor that helped me through this injury.

So why am I writing you some 37 years later, that is simple I wanted to take this moment to thank you. I know we (my family) has thanked you numerous times regarding the varies things you have done for me and my family. However, what you don’t know is that I turned out to be just like every other normal adult. Yes I still have the varies scars that are displayed all up and down my legs, but throughout time they have faded and are barely noticeable.

Growing up was tough, I wasn’t allowed to play many sports for fear of injury, my parents were extremely overprotected of my physically, for obvious reasons. Their simple answer, “we spent too much time, energy and money on your legs, period!” Throughout my childhood and into my teens, the only sport my parents approved of was bowling. I was the kid that was excused from PE my entire life, my parents again too fearful of an injury, this didn’t bother me so much, I hated to sweat and in reality I was slow. Running and playing really wasn’t my “thing.” I wasn’t as physically agile as the rest of the kids.

When I turned 35, I had an epiphany. I realized I could do anything. A friend of mine introduced me to running. I completed my first 5K in late August of 2010. Then again in September I ran the first Miami Children’s Hospital 5K. Now if I say I run these that would be a lie, I do a run/walk/run method. In October 2010 I met Olympian Jeff Galloway and after a long motivating chat with him, I realized I could run a half marathon. Between November 2010 and February 2011 I completed four half marathons, with an average 13 min Mile. In last year’s run season, I completed 18 runs which consisted of 4 half’s and the rest 5K’s and one mud run.

It was during the November run (my first 1/2 Marathon) I met Kathrine Switzer, the first women to complete the Boston Marathon. She inspired me greatly as we chatted for over

20 mins about how to overcome the impossible. I told her all about you and how how impossible is really the name of my game. She simple told me something I do all the time, it is a quote I live by, a quote by Walt Disney himself, “It's kind of fun to do the impossible.” My life is the impossible, and you helped me to overcome so much, thank you. She also told me, “Their is only one a first time, enjoy it!”

This run season, I have done 3 half marathons, a few 5 and 10K’s and now I am literally on my way to first full marathon - 26.2 miles. I am proud to say that I can run about 1.5 miles without walking. The greatest feeling is crossing the finish line.

I think back when I was a child in school, watching everyone run and play. Knowing that the braces on my legs prevent me from being normal. I always wondered what normal felt like.

I won’t diminish my challenges, I still have aches and pains when I run sometimes. As always I have good day’s and bad day’s. My ankles swell, sometimes my legs just flat out ache. But I run. At the age of 37, I have become an athlete. Something I never thought I could or would ever be. I learned something big with this entire adventure, challenges are just that. Thanks to you, my legs were constructed to look normal, who would ever have thought I could have done all I have.

Thank you! If it weren’t for you, I would have been in a wheelchair for my entire life, not that is bad, but I am a force to be reckoned with. If it weren’t for you, I would be most likely a wheelchair athlete, but instead I can walk, run, and do most things a “normal” athlete can do. Thanks to you, I have a chance to be what ever it is my heart wants to. Thanks to you, I walked across the stage at all three of my graduations (yes I have a Master’s Degree). I know that most of my success is due to hard work and training. However if it weren’t for you none of this could have been possible. You and your staff (at Variety Children’s) helped to make sure I had a fighting chance in the walking world. I know I most likely will never win a race, but being the best isn’t necessarily something I aspire to do.

When I run I have two rules: the first is, finish what I start and the second is, never be last. In all essence when I am out their running, mile by mile, and each time I cross the finish line, I say a pray and I thank you for the gift you have given me. The gift of mobility, because of you I can walk. Not only can I walk but now I can run.

I try to inspire others by writing my thoughts in a runners blog, I talk about overcoming challenges and “defying gravity”. I have a small saying that I always sign off with, I run because I can, and I run for those who can’t. But most importantly I want to say thank you, because if it weren’t for you 37 years ago taking, and a chance to try to fix my legs none of this could be possible. So Thank you for everything and allowing me the opportunity to be “normal.” Thank you for giving me my wings.

I run because I can .... I run for those who can’t!

Forever in your gratitude,

Wendy Phillips