Reaching the finish line together

By April Franklin

A career in direct support offers the opportunity to form inspirational relationships. It’s easy to assume that the person supported is the one who benefits from that relationship. But people who work for HCS say that they are, in fact, the ones who receive the true benefit. We see this paradigm every day at Heritage Christian. Just one example is the brotherly bond that has formed over long distance running. Staff member Reat Tuany and men at the home on Fairport Road illustrate how every single person can transcend stereotypes to encourage and inspire others.

For three years, Reat, Olaf and David have participated in a run club, where they train together under the direction of Coach Kelly Nash. For Reat, he finds the experience rewarding, because they work on their individual fitness together. At home, Reat offers day-to-day support perhaps more like a mentor, but when he and Olaf and David run, the relationship is peer-to-peer. Everyone is running and working to put in the same effort, the same push and the same sweat to beat their personal bests.

Other people notice and get motivated by the men running side by side. They received the attention of Legends 102.7 FM, where the men were interviewed and inspired others. Other run club members keep up with their momentum. Reat, Olaf and David remind everyone that there’s no reason to place limitations on others based on what we know on the surface. Deep relationships at HCS reveal the role model potential in every person.