I had never been athletically gifted and hated running, so I couldn't tell you why I chose it, I think it chose me.  Thinking it was a crazy idea, I put it out of my mind and forgot about it.  Another two years passed and I read about it in a local transplant newsletter.  I remembered praying for this and decided then and there I had to go.  I called the team manager only to find out the deadline for that year had passed.  I would have to wait another two years.

Never having really taken on any exercise program before, literally coming from the couch, I started "trying" to run sometime in 1999.  After six months, it still killed me to run the 100m which was my chosen event.  It made me sick to my stomach and I was sure I was going to kill over from a heart attack.  I came to the conclusion that this wasn't for me and I was kidding myself.  Still curious about the games, I went online and searched for info.  I ended up on the NKF Transplant Games message board and posted my story there.  I found myself with two stubborn virtual coaches, Tom and Andy, both veterans of the games.  When questioned about what I was going to do at the games, I said either make a fool of myself or die on the track.  I also made the mistake of telling Tom, "I can't."  Neither of them were having any of that and I was informed to never use that word again.  They wanted me to see that with a different attitude and some work, my vision would become reality.

With their daily input and harassment, I continued running til I got closer to the games.  I got to where I could easily run the 100 and was tormented by Andy into doing the 200m also.  I figured I hadn't died yet, why not? To get me fired up, they both teased the heck out of me.  Andy would say he could beat me running in flip flops.  Tom even came up with a bet involving me giving him jelly beans if I didn't win.  This became a standing bet for many years til I finally won my first gold in 2006.

Fast forward, 2000, I'm at my first games.  During the opening ceremonies, Larry Hagman called out each year and had those that had their transplant in that year to stand.  When he said "1991," I stood up and looked around.  All I could see was a rainbow of t-shirts representing thousands who were transplanted the same year as me.  In disbelief, I didn't feel alone anymore.  If that wasn't enough, donor families came out with this massive quilt.  Each of the patches had pictures with donors on it.  When I saw Arkansas come out, I started crying and couldn't stop.  I was doing this through the whole ceremonies.

My first time on the track was the 1500m race-walk.  It was a blur because I was still thinking about the ceremonies, still trying to digest the whole games thus far.  I couldn't get over being surrounded by that many transplant recipients.  Before i knew it, it was over and it was announced that I had won the bronze.  I lined up for the 100m and Tom got behind me and yelled "GO PEACH!" I was still in too much shock to notice or care that I was last.  I survived the 200m and managed to win the silver.

I have been to  5 U.S. Games so far.  It took me eight years of trying, but in 2008, that vision in my mind became real when I won the 200m.  I have met and became friends with many people who continue to inspire me daily.  The back of my first medal said "Going the Distance."  I NEVER would have believed back then, that is exactly what I would end up doing.  The games have shown me that anything is possible if you want it.  Regardless of all I've been able to do with my running, the most important is spreading the word that organ donation saves lives and transplants work.  I would like to believe that if my donor is looking down on me, she'd be proud.

"Your mind will take you far, the rest is just pure heart."  - Celine Dion

 

To read Terri's blogs click here, and to learn more about the Transplant Games click here.

How a One-Legged Swimmer from Alabama Showed Me What Life is All About