Parents, son push each other on the running path
By Nick Hytreknhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Shannon Gibson straps 7-year-old son Jess into his stroller before heading out on a run near their Wayne, Neb., home. Gibson and four members of the family will take turns pushing Jess, who has cerebral palsy, during Saturday's Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon. (Photo by Nick Hytrek)
WAYNE, Neb. -- Ask any runner why he or she runs, and you'll get all sorts of answers.
It feels good. That time alone gives one a chance to think. It's good exercise.
Shannon and Brian Gibson were in the latter category a couple of years ago. They wanted to get in better shape, so they hit the streets of Wayne, quickly improving their endurance. They asked their son, Jess, if he'd like to run with them, too. He enthusiastically said yes.
The Gibsons still run for the exercise, but after watching how running has changed Jess' young life, they now run for different reasons.
You see, Jess can't run himself.
Jess was born with cerebral palsy. The 7-year-old uses a wheelchair most of the time and can tool around a little with a walker. Even though he's riding in a stroller while Brian and Shannon push, Jess has benefitted from running probably more than his parents.
Jess amazed a panel of doctors at his annual checkup at Children's Hospital in Omaha earlier this year.
"This year was the best results we've ever had," Shannon said.
Jess was taken off all medications. The doctors were at a loss to explain his physical improvements. Not Brian and Shannon. They know. It's those runs, three times every week.
They've watched as Jess, impaired by limited vision, is now able to recognize landmarks along the training routes. His upper body has become strong, now able to keep his head from bouncing from side to side as he's pushed across uneven pavement.
"We don't even worry about hitting bumps anymore," Shannon said.
And just as important as the physical aspects, Shannon said, running gives the family a chance to bond, to take a break from daily challenges. Brian and Shannon can talk about Jess' health outside the home, ask him how he's doing. It's a chance for older sisters McKenna, 13, and Ashten, 9, to have some time at home to themselves, away from the nearly constant needs of their little brother.
That the family can run together is something that seven years ago no one would have expected. Shannon's water broke while she was 21 weeks pregnant with Jess, and she gave birth 74 days later. Doctors gave Jess a 3 percent chance of living.
Now he's a healthy 41-pound second-grader at Wayne Elementary School. He's a Cub Scout who loves hockey and isn't bashful to holler out "Go Big Red" in honor of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
He became hooked on running after the first time.
"We got home and he said, 'That was fun, do it again,'" Shannon said.
So they have. Long runs. Short runs. It doesn't matter. Jess happily snacks away on chips (he's a Doritos man, Shannon said), crackers and fruit snacks, listens to country music on his headphones and encourages his mom and dad.
"His favorite thing to say is, 'faster, faster,'" Shannon said.
The runs have gotten faster. They've gotten longer, too. Brian and Shannon decided to try a half-marathon with Jess last fall. It went so well, they've done two more. At a Fourth of July family gathering this summer, the idea of running the marathon in Sioux City came up.
"We just started talking about it, how fun it would be, and they all wanted to do it," Shannon said of their families.
Four family members committed to taking a turn pushing Jess before handing off to Shannon for the final leg.
If you head out to watch the end of the marathon Saturday, keep an eye out for Shannon and Brian. They'll be the ones in the blue tie-dyed T-shirts that say, "Jess Gibson. We are his arms and legs. He is our HEART."
Wearing an identical shirt, Jess will be in his stroller, likely high-fiving anyone within reach and pumping his arms in the air.
Watching the joy Jess experiences while riding along eases the fatigue of such long runs, Shannon said.
"Just a sense of what his struggles are, that's what keeps us going," she said. "I honestly do it for him. If I didn't have him to push me, I wouldn't do these races."
Many runners continue to run for the love of it. Brian and Shannon Gibson continue to run out of love for their son.
When participants in the Sixth Annual Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon step to the line Saturday morning, 7-year-old Jess Gibson will be there, buckled into his stroller in front of uncle Kevin Gibson. Four members of Brian and Shannon Gibson's families will take turns pushing Jess, who has cerebral palsy, through the streets of Sioux City before handing off to Shannon, who will push her son on the final leg of the 26.2-mile route. The Jess Gibson relay team consists of:
--Mother Shannon Gibson, Wayne, Neb.
--Uncle Kevin Gibson, Springfield, S.D.
--Grandfather Randy Holdorf, Carroll, Neb.
--Cousins Russ and Kari Hamer, Battle Creek, Neb.
Brian Gibson will run the half-marathon by himself, but he'll be waiting at the finish line for Shannon and Jess.
It feels good. That time alone gives one a chance to think. It's good exercise.
Shannon and Brian Gibson were in the latter category a couple of years ago. They wanted to get in better shape, so they hit the streets of Wayne, quickly improving their endurance. They asked their son, Jess, if he'd like to run with them, too. He enthusiastically said yes.
The Gibsons still run for the exercise, but after watching how running has changed Jess' young life, they now run for different reasons.
You see, Jess can't run himself.
Jess was born with cerebral palsy. The 7-year-old uses a wheelchair most of the time and can tool around a little with a walker. Even though he's riding in a stroller while Brian and Shannon push, Jess has benefitted from running probably more than his parents.
Jess amazed a panel of doctors at his annual checkup at Children's Hospital in Omaha earlier this year.
"This year was the best results we've ever had," Shannon said.
Jess was taken off all medications. The doctors were at a loss to explain his physical improvements. Not Brian and Shannon. They know. It's those runs, three times every week.
They've watched as Jess, impaired by limited vision, is now able to recognize landmarks along the training routes. His upper body has become strong, now able to keep his head from bouncing from side to side as he's pushed across uneven pavement.
"We don't even worry about hitting bumps anymore," Shannon said.
And just as important as the physical aspects, Shannon said, running gives the family a chance to bond, to take a break from daily challenges. Brian and Shannon can talk about Jess' health outside the home, ask him how he's doing. It's a chance for older sisters McKenna, 13, and Ashten, 9, to have some time at home to themselves, away from the nearly constant needs of their little brother.
That the family can run together is something that seven years ago no one would have expected. Shannon's water broke while she was 21 weeks pregnant with Jess, and she gave birth 74 days later. Doctors gave Jess a 3 percent chance of living.
Now he's a healthy 41-pound second-grader at Wayne Elementary School. He's a Cub Scout who loves hockey and isn't bashful to holler out "Go Big Red" in honor of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
He became hooked on running after the first time.
"We got home and he said, 'That was fun, do it again,'" Shannon said.
So they have. Long runs. Short runs. It doesn't matter. Jess happily snacks away on chips (he's a Doritos man, Shannon said), crackers and fruit snacks, listens to country music on his headphones and encourages his mom and dad.
"His favorite thing to say is, 'faster, faster,'" Shannon said.
The runs have gotten faster. They've gotten longer, too. Brian and Shannon decided to try a half-marathon with Jess last fall. It went so well, they've done two more. At a Fourth of July family gathering this summer, the idea of running the marathon in Sioux City came up.
"We just started talking about it, how fun it would be, and they all wanted to do it," Shannon said of their families.
Four family members committed to taking a turn pushing Jess before handing off to Shannon for the final leg.
If you head out to watch the end of the marathon Saturday, keep an eye out for Shannon and Brian. They'll be the ones in the blue tie-dyed T-shirts that say, "Jess Gibson. We are his arms and legs. He is our HEART."
Wearing an identical shirt, Jess will be in his stroller, likely high-fiving anyone within reach and pumping his arms in the air.
Watching the joy Jess experiences while riding along eases the fatigue of such long runs, Shannon said.
"Just a sense of what his struggles are, that's what keeps us going," she said. "I honestly do it for him. If I didn't have him to push me, I wouldn't do these races."
Many runners continue to run for the love of it. Brian and Shannon Gibson continue to run out of love for their son.
When participants in the Sixth Annual Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon step to the line Saturday morning, 7-year-old Jess Gibson will be there, buckled into his stroller in front of uncle Kevin Gibson. Four members of Brian and Shannon Gibson's families will take turns pushing Jess, who has cerebral palsy, through the streets of Sioux City before handing off to Shannon, who will push her son on the final leg of the 26.2-mile route. The Jess Gibson relay team consists of:
--Mother Shannon Gibson, Wayne, Neb.
--Uncle Kevin Gibson, Springfield, S.D.
--Grandfather Randy Holdorf, Carroll, Neb.
--Cousins Russ and Kari Hamer, Battle Creek, Neb.
Brian Gibson will run the half-marathon by himself, but he'll be waiting at the finish line for Shannon and Jess.
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Roth Family wrote on Oct 16, 2008 10:11 AM:
Robin wrote on Oct 15, 2008 6:29 PM:
Go SUPERMAN! "
gn mercer wrote on Oct 15, 2008 3:32 PM:
Mr. Jaixen wrote on Oct 15, 2008 2:59 PM:
GO BIG JESS !!! "
The Schroeders wrote on Oct 15, 2008 2:56 PM: