Running the Distance for Autism: Dennis Doherty

I have been on a bit of a hiatus on the blog front for a while and with the recent town elections, I was recently inspired to reengage and start writing again.  This inspiration came from a good friend and fellow town member, Dennis Doherty who is running the Boston Marathon for the first time and for a great cause!  Read on to hear this great story and hopefully you will be inspired! 

Approaching April, we begin to see runners preparing for what I would personally consider one of the hardest feats in sports; running 26.22 miles and not giving up!  Every year hundreds of runners agree to raise money for charities in order to get a coveted bib number for the Boston Marathon. Dennis is running for Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.

This cause hits close to home where Dennis’s son Patrick was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PPD-NOS), an Autism spectrum disorder, in September 2011 when he was just shy of three years old. For the Doherty family, that was hard news to receive. Dennis did not like to talk about it and did not share his diagnosis with many. Patrick started having therapies in-home and went to Preschool at the Willette School during the day after he turned three. For the last year and a half Patrick’s a typical day starts at 8:30am at the Willette School and does not end until 5:30pm with a therapy session at home.

After Patrick’s diagnosis, Dennis found CrossFit and joined CrossFit Florian (CFF). Dennis had always gone to the gym, but mostly went through the motions. At CFF Dennis found an outlet for his emotions. Dennis says “I remember days just being stressed out about things and would go to CFF and felt like it was not that bad when I left.” Dennis got into better shape and challenged himself to run a half marathon in October of 2012. He had not done something like this since his mid-twenties. Dennis told me, “I felt amazing after accomplishing that (seconds off my time from 2003).” At that point, Dennis wanted to take it to the next level.

Dennis “toyed” with the idea of trying to run the Boston Marathon. He looked into the charity programs and found out that Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism had a team. Dennis contacted them telling the foundation his story and it was accepted. Dennis shares: “I remember agreeing to join the team and hanging up the phone and being like “oh no”.” Thus far working with the foundation has been amazing for Dennis and his family. On Patrick’s fourth birthday Dennis created his marathon page telling his story and asking for support in the form of donations for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. This is how most of Dennis’s friends, co-workers, CFF members, and even family members found out that Patrick had this diagnosis. For the Doherty family, it was cathartic. Dennis told me “People came out of the woodwork with support in the form of money, but most importantly in the form of kind words and encouragement.”

Training for a marathon is a long process and Dennis started in earnest on December 17th of last year. He ran all around Norwood numerous times. His training would consist of runs in and around Norwood during the week and CrossFit at CFF. He would then go into Boston and train with a group on Saturday morning for long runs. Two weeks ago Dennis ran 21 miles from the starting line to BC as his final metal test. Dennis said “Each time I run, I am motivated by Patrick and all the people that have supported me.”

A carpetbagger like me, the Doherty’s moved to Norwood in the fall of 2010. They had no connection to the town. Dennis shares: “I can’t explain how lucky we are to have come here. Patrick goes to the Willette and is in Mrs. Tolman’s room and they are amazing. I feel like he is loved when he is away from us and that is so comforting. Patrick has come so far in the last year and half and I really think that the Willette has been a huge part of this progress. Patrick played tee-ball last June and he loved it. He had a hard time following directions and needed my wife or I to help him most of the time, but everyone was supportive especially coach Josh. It made me love the town even more.”

Dennis would like to see more services and programs for children with Autism available. Supporting the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism helps families, programs, and non-profits by awarding grants to them.  Be sure to check out their site!

Dennis says he “cannot wait for April 15th. I have gone to the marathon and watched coverage and always said to myself, “Wouldn’t it be cool to do that?”” On Monday, Dennis will run the marathon and he is excited, but the task is scary at the same time.  On Dennis’s page he wrote about how Patrick, a four year old, runs a marathon week in and week out with all that is asked of him.  That list includes but is not limited to: school, therapies, and speech. Dennis told me “He is the busiest person I know. My motto has been “if he can do this week in and week out, I can run 26.2 miles.””

If you want to support Dennis’s effort for the Flutie Foundation you can go to: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/runningforpatrick/2013-boston-marathon

Want to track Dennis? Text the word RUNNER to 345678 and then respond with his bib number #21708.

Good luck Dennis and remember, all your friends, co-workers, CFF members, and family will be supporting you all along the way!