Retirement may be 20 years away, but I already have plans for one activity that will fill my time once work doesn’t get in the way: walks.
Not just strolls through the neighborhood, I’m talking about walks for a cause.
I’ve taken part in several of them over the years and have always reveled in the camaraderie between complete strangers united by a desire to walk or run a mile or two to support someone else.
As the parent of a special needs child, I feel events like these are essential for the affected family for two reasons. First, they promote awareness of disorders and diseases and disseminate information that might otherwise be glossed over. Second, and more importantly, they offer a chance to bond with other families and supporters, share stories and lean on each other.
My family participated in the Walk for Autism in May and the biggest takeaway for me wasn’t the sheer volume of walkers or donation totals, it was the compassionate nods shared between walkers, parents, siblings and caregivers. There were a half dozen of them, and I appreciated every one.
That quick glance and bob of the head told me they understand the challenges daily life can present because they live it or have seen it themselves. At another event, a group walking alongside us overheard my son’s name and started a chant with it — group of strangers, cheering him on, like his personal back-up singers.
They were exercises in empathy that will bring my family back next year, and to other walks for causes in the Southland.
I’ll never forget the party atmosphere of a breast cancer walk a few years ago, and how excited the thousands that gathered were to join forces, walk and share stories, both sad and inspiring. There were banners and buttons, T-shirts and costumes. It was a boisterous sea of pink and it was energizing to be around so many people with a positive perspective.
My wife and I attended the event in October during Breast Cancer Awareness month to honor her mother’s battle with the disease, which has now been in remission for nine years. It also coincided with our decision to start a family and give our daughter her name.
All those memories from our first walk came rushing back this spring.
It’s those simple gestures from strangers that make me want to pursue more walks for causes, to pay it forward and lend support to other causes. It’s a bridge of support I plan to build on when I have more free time.
Steve Zimmerman is a copy editor/designer for the Chicago Tribune who moved to the south suburbs from Chicago’s northwest side in May.
Saturday, Oct. 22: Dash for Disabilities, Park Lawn Vocational Services, Oak Lawn, 8 a.m.
Walks for causes coming up in the Southland:
Thursday, Oct. 6: Strides for Peace, Soldier Field, Chicago, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Blood Run 5K, Joliet, 8:30 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9: Making Strides (Against Breast Cancer) of South Suburban, Centennial Park, Orland Park, 9 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 16: Pant for the Pantry 5K, New Lenox, 8:30 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 16: Making Strides (Against Breast Cancer) of Will County, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, 9 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 16: Race for the Kids at Comer Children’s, University of Chicago, Hyde Park, 9 a.m.
