Chuck Ledford
Welcome to my website
I am Chuck Ledford, 45 year old, fairly new to running – this is my FIRST marathon. I am married to Sarah, my wonderful wife of 20 years, and am proud father of 3 daughters – Chelsea (biological daughter, age 16), Hope (adopted from China in 2002, age 8, and Chloe (adopted from China in 2005, age (almost 5)). We also claim Ruth, who passed away with a heart defect just before we travelled for our first adoption in 2002, and we are proud to sponsor Ester, from Sonrise school in Rwanda. We live in NC and are good friends with the Gullions (Dwain ran the MCM 2008 for his first marathon).
My motivation to participate with Team LWB this year
Let's see... my motivation... hmmm... it all started last year when my good buddy, Dwain Gullion decided to run the Marine Corps Marathon on Love Without Boundaries team. He had never run a marathon before and I thought he was crazy. He wanted me to join him then, but I wimped out, but ran my first half marathon in December! I told myself that 2009 was the year for the big 'M' to happen (I am not getting any younger!). Well, here we are, in 2009 and it's time to step up and RUN! I can think of no better cause than to run for LWB - here is why: We were content for many years with our bio child, Chelsea. Life was good and complete. A stirring that began in my wife's heart for adoption many many years before finally was stirring in my heart. We began the adoption process in 2000 and were finally 'matched' with a precious little girl named You Xu (to be Ruth) in January 2002. We were frantically working towards travel, packing and such when we heard the news - our little Ruth had passed away (just 8 days prior to travel) with undetected heart problems. We were LOST... Long story short - GOD IS FAITHFUL and will complete any and every good work! We travelled as scheduled and were literally given Hope (You Lu, now Hope Lu). We adopted again, from China, in 2005 (You Mei Can, now Chloe Elizabeth Mei). SO, I run in thankfulness for my wonderful wife (Sarah), my 3 daughters (Chelsea, Hope and Chloe) and for LWB (who tirelessly cares for those who cannot care for themselves... like our Ruth). Thank you, Love Without Boundaries!
Fund-Raising
Goal: $1000.00
To date: $793.00
I'm participating on behalf of Maria. Maria has been at Love Without Boundaries' Heartbridge Pediatric Healing Unit since September 2007. Maria has a rare eating disorder in which she will be perfectly healthy for several weeks, and then be unable to keep any food down for up to a week at a time. At 2.5 years old, she is the size of a typical 10 month old infant. At Heartbridge, she is carefully monitored during her feeding cycles to get as many calories into her as possible when she is feeling well; she is tube fed when she is ill. Maria, known as the "Princess" of the room is showing signs that she may gradually be outgrowing her disorder and she has finally begun to gain weight. We recently learned that she has been chosen for adoption and are thrilled to know she will have a family of her own soon.
