Running for Taylor: 2015 in Pictures

Published: December 31, 2015  ~   2
By Laura King Edwards

When I set out to run a race in all 50 states to honor my sister and support one in 10 Americans suffering from a rare disease, I only wanted to build on the momentum of running 13.1 miles blindfolded, which I did at Charlotte’s Thunder Road Half Marathon in late 2013. Taylor’s story was too good, her courage too inspiring, and the success of the blind run too complete to call it quits.

I never imagined the ride would be quite like this.

As the year comes to a close, I’m taking a look back at an incredible 2015: nine races, seven states and enough memories to last a lifetime. continue reading →

Red, My Fortune Cookie

Published: December 23, 2015  ~   0
By Laura King Edwards

I treated myself to a manicure for Christmas on the way home from the office this afternoon. While I waited for the rich poinsettia red polish to dry, two new customers – a young woman in her 20s and a teenager who had to be her younger sister – searched for the perfect colors on the shelves in front of me.

I always get bored waiting for my nails to dry, and I found myself watching them out of the corner of my eye by the time they’d moved on from the solid reds to the sparkly pinks. continue reading →

What Batten Disease Stole

Published: December 22, 2015  ~   0
By Laura King Edwards

If my sister didn’t have Batten disease, she would be a senior in high school this year.

But Taylor isn’t a senior. She isn’t taking classes, and her only extracurricular activity is physical therapy. She doesn’t have her driver’s license, and she won’t go to prom. continue reading →

A Christmas Story

Published: December 15, 2015  ~   0
By Laura King Edwards

At 16, I didn’t want a little sister. But Taylor, an August baby, had my heart long before we celebrated her first Christmas. continue reading →

Running for Taylor in 50 States: Pennsylvania

Published: December 7, 2015  ~   0
By Laura King Edwards

When I crossed the finish line of Charlotte’s Thunder Road Half Marathon blindfolded in November 2013, I knew the race would be a tough act to follow. But I didn’t intend to stop running for my sister, Taylor, and our fight against Batten disease and other rare diseases. That’s why I’m running a race in all 50 states – a feat not as rare as running 13.1 miles blind but one that I hope will help me spread our story far and wide.

When Taylor was diagnosed with infantile Batten disease in 2006, the doctor advised my parents to take her home and love her. “There’s nothing you can do,” he said.

But giving up wasn’t good enough for them or anyone in my family, least of all Taylor. continue reading →