Ballou Skies

This year I saw several athletes race for the Ballou Skies Triathlon Team. I am familiar with teams such as Zoot, Timex, Rev3, etc... but who is Ballou Skies? and who are these fast girls on this team? :)

I had to do a little research because I was intrigued. Ballou Skies is an organization that was started by Ryan Ballou and his family in support of research for Muscular Dystrophy. The triathlon team races to raise awareness for Muscular Dystrophy, as well as help Ryan promote Ballou Skies and it's fundraising for research.

Guess what...it worked! Here I am in Memphis, wondering what is Ballou Skies? Would I have ever heard of this organization or Ryan if it were not for the triathlon team? Nope! The team has done its job!!!!!

And luckily for me, as a pediatric physical therapist, I was put in touch with an amazing family as a good resource. Right now, I am working with two boys that have Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, and I was so excited to talk to Ryan and get some ideas from him.
Ryan and his family were very quick to respond to my emails. One of my students, Joe, was so intrigued by Ryan and his story, that he submitted a list of questions to Ryan- and Ryan answered right back! Joe was so excited, he saved the print out of the answers to re-read.

Ryan and his family also sent my two students care packages from Ballou Skies. These boys were so happy and excited- Joe didn't want to take his shirt off all week! Both boys live in a very, very rural area. Receiving gifts through the mail is a big deal, and the care package was very, very special.

My students will not ever be able to walk again. One of them understands that. The other one continues to have difficulty accepting this part of his disease. The other day, we were playing with a magic 8-ball, and he asked it if he would ever walk again. I appreciate that Ryan and his family understand how difficult some of the disease process can be, and they are striving to find more research to help these children. The Ballou family is making a positive impact. Thank you!!!!!

Please go to their website and support Ballou Skies through a purchase of some natural peanut butter (all proceeds go to research), or even a kind word.

Thank you to Beth Shutt and Kim Schwabenbauer for helping me get in touch with Ryan and his family. You have been true ambassadors for Ballou Skies and have represented them well in my estimation. Best of luck to you both on 2012 as professionals!!!!!