My name is Kim Virden and I’m a 45 year old brain injury survivor and an athlete with epilepsy. At seventeen years old I was in a skiing accident in Colorado that left me with a traumatic brain injury and as a result of the damage fired off a seizure disorder. It took me five tough years to get my life back to “normal” - relearning and retraining the common aspects of life.
Nothing seemed to work for me any more and I really struggled to find anything good left in my life. My long term and short term memories were erased. I struggled with vision problems, learning disabilities, painful daily headaches, depression and much more.
Relearning and starting over was tough at such a young age but slowly it did come back together for me. My mom had the patience of a Saint and together we worked to re-learn and get thru all hard times. After five years of relentless hard work, never giving up and hours of frustration it started to come back. Slow but sure I eventually graduated from high school and then college.
Eventually the doctors gave me to ok to test the body and start working out again. After five years my brain was healed as best it could. They reminded me that it was important to always wear a helmet when participating in sports but now it would be ok to bike, run and ski again. I first found freedom on my bike – I rode for miles, feeling free and feeling great that I could get in shape again.
Years passed and I eventually went back to skiing and running. Who knew that one day I would finish three marathons and carry the Olympic torch.
On the way to a ski trip in January 2005 I picked up the book “I am the Central Park Jogger”. I was pulled to Trisha Meili’s story about surviving her attack and brain injury. While reading it I learned about the Achilles Track Club founded by Dick Traum.
I eagerly wanted to learn more about this group and get involved but I found out there wasn’t a chapter in my state. I contacted Dick Traum and spoke with him about his incredible group and what it would take to start a chapter here in Madison, Wisconsin.
Well it’s been almost three years now since I started a chapter here in Madison and we’ve grown from just a couple members in 2005 to almost fifty active members in 2007.
This fall I ran the New York City Marathon for my second time. My connection to Falmouth is very dear to my heart. As an athlete with a disability I was given two Achilles Guides to run with me and keep me safe through out the marathon. One of these was a wonderful woman by the name of Diane Pasquaretta, she lives in Massachusetts.
She is not only one heck of a runner but also an incredible and dedicated person! She ran with me every step of my 26.2 miles and was trained and ready to take care of any problems I might have, such as a seizures. She rose at the early hour of on Sunday, Nov 4th and stayed with me till the very end of our long Marathon day.
What a comfort it was running with these guides – angels to look after me, to encourage me during the tough times and to make me smile with the crowds. I would absolutely love the chance to come back to her home town and once again run with her in the race that she loves and is proud of…..the Falmouth Road Race in August 2008.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Cap'n Kimmer Keeps Rolling out the Awards!
"The CIGNA Falmouth Road Race Challenge" is an essay contest where the winner, and a guest, will receive an all expense paid trip (up to $5,000) to participate in the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race in 2008. The contest is open to U.S. residents, who have a life altering disability or illness, or have overcome a life threatening disability or illness to tell us their personal triumph stories and why they want to race in Falmouth.
And our Kimmer is a winner!!
PHILADELPHIA – May 21, 2007 – It's been an uphill battle for Madison, Wis., resident Kim Virden. After a severe skiing accident at age 17 she suffered a traumatic brain injury that left her with a seizure disorder, vision problems and learning disabilities. Despite this, Virden has achieved goals many people without her challenges might find out of their reach.
In the 28 years since her accident, Virden has run three marathons, carried the Olympic torch and started a local chapter of the Achilles Track Club, a non-profit worldwide organization that works to help people with disabilities compete in mainstream athletic events, in her hometown. Virden, 46, can now add to her list of accomplishments that she has been named the winner of the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race Challenge.
"I am thrilled to have been selected as the winner of the essay contest," said Virden. "It's been a long road to recovery for me, but one thing that has always been consistent is my desire to continue to be active and to never give up. I am honored to be running as a member of the CIGNA Running Team this August at the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race."
In support of its mission to help improve health, well-being and security of individuals, CIGNA is once again, for the third consecutive year, serving as the title sponsor of the race. Virden, a software systems administrator, was one of many who submitted an essay in February in response to CIGNA's nationwide call for contest entries that asked individuals who currently have, or have overcome, a life-altering disability or illness to share their personal triumph stories and why they want to race in Falmouth. As the winner, Virden and a guest will receive an all-expense-paid trip to participate in this year's CIGNA Falmouth Road Race.
Kim's story should be an inspiration to each of us as she has overcome – what most would consider - insurmountable obstacles to live life to the fullest and to contribute to her community," said Karen Rohan, president of CIGNA Group Insurance and CIGNA Dental. "We are very pleased to welcome her as a member of the CIGNA Running Team this year."
Virden was named Athlete of the Year by The Achilles Track Club in 2007 and was recently recognized by the Brain Injury Association with an Individual Achievement Award for her life's work and giving back to the community. Since she started the Madison, Wis., chapter of the Achilles Track Club in 2005, membership has grown to almost 50 in just three years.
To learn more about the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race and Kim's road to the race, visit CIGNA's website at www.cigna.com/falmouthroadrace.
And our Kimmer is a winner!!
Madison, Wis., resident Kim Virden wins essay contest
PHILADELPHIA – May 21, 2007 – It's been an uphill battle for Madison, Wis., resident Kim Virden. After a severe skiing accident at age 17 she suffered a traumatic brain injury that left her with a seizure disorder, vision problems and learning disabilities. Despite this, Virden has achieved goals many people without her challenges might find out of their reach.
In the 28 years since her accident, Virden has run three marathons, carried the Olympic torch and started a local chapter of the Achilles Track Club, a non-profit worldwide organization that works to help people with disabilities compete in mainstream athletic events, in her hometown. Virden, 46, can now add to her list of accomplishments that she has been named the winner of the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race Challenge.
"I am thrilled to have been selected as the winner of the essay contest," said Virden. "It's been a long road to recovery for me, but one thing that has always been consistent is my desire to continue to be active and to never give up. I am honored to be running as a member of the CIGNA Running Team this August at the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race."
In support of its mission to help improve health, well-being and security of individuals, CIGNA is once again, for the third consecutive year, serving as the title sponsor of the race. Virden, a software systems administrator, was one of many who submitted an essay in February in response to CIGNA's nationwide call for contest entries that asked individuals who currently have, or have overcome, a life-altering disability or illness to share their personal triumph stories and why they want to race in Falmouth. As the winner, Virden and a guest will receive an all-expense-paid trip to participate in this year's CIGNA Falmouth Road Race.
Kim's story should be an inspiration to each of us as she has overcome – what most would consider - insurmountable obstacles to live life to the fullest and to contribute to her community," said Karen Rohan, president of CIGNA Group Insurance and CIGNA Dental. "We are very pleased to welcome her as a member of the CIGNA Running Team this year."
Virden was named Athlete of the Year by The Achilles Track Club in 2007 and was recently recognized by the Brain Injury Association with an Individual Achievement Award for her life's work and giving back to the community. Since she started the Madison, Wis., chapter of the Achilles Track Club in 2005, membership has grown to almost 50 in just three years.
To learn more about the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race and Kim's road to the race, visit CIGNA's website at www.cigna.com/falmouthroadrace.
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