When Christine Payne was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at 11 months old, her parents Mike and Maryanne knew her life would be full of challenges, but they also knew she was a strong, charismatic child.
Now Christine, a Middletown resident, is 11 years old and overcoming those challenges every day. On Sunday, Sept. 27, she will lead walkers and runners in the Delaware Variety—The Children’s Charity 5K Run/Walk.
Delaware Variety is a division of Variety – The Children’s Charity of Greater Philadelphia, a non-profit organization that raises funds for children with disabilities.
Meghan Evans, Delaware director for Variety, said this is the third time the run/walk has been held in Middletown.
“We serve the whole state, so we wanted to come south,” she said. “Plus, we have so many families from Middletown.”
Evans said funds from the run/walk will go toward equipment for the children and the organization’s after-school activities and summer camps.
She said Variety is expecting about 300 runners and walkers at the event.
“It’s a perfect way to raise awareness,” Evans said. “It’s also a great way for families to give back and have a great time.”
She said Christine was chosen as the walk ambassador because she has many connections to the organization. Christine has participated in other Variety activities, including Blue Rocks outings and the organization’s after-school programs.
Christine, who attends the John G. Leach School in New Castle, will ride her brand new adaptive bicycle. It has a seat and back that were custom made for her.
Christine’s mother Maryanne Payne, who works at the Leach School, said when she saw a little girl coming toward her on the bike, she couldn’t believe it was her daughter.
“She was going as fast as she possibly could and under her own power,” she said. “It was amazing to watch.”
Maryanne said she borrowed the bike on the weekends to see if Christine would use it at home. It became one of her favorite things to do.
She said that after she and her husband lost a tiring battle with the insurance company, Variety donated the bicycle to Christine.
“Variety is wonderful,” Maryanne said. “Every kid should have a bike, and these are thousands of dollars.”
Before taking a job at the Leach School four years ago, Maryanne said she worked in Wilmington as a paralegal. She decided to make a change after seeing how happy the Leach staff was.
“Working with these kids is incredibly rewarding,” she said. “That I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
Maryanne said Christine has Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, which affects only 10 percent of children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Children with this type often develop involuntary movements, which can interfere with speaking, reaching and other skills that require coordinated movements.
She said Christine recently learned to sit up on her own.
“It took her until she was 10 years old to sit up, but she did it,” Maryanne said. “She has to learn other ways to do things. CP is not a progressive disease, so when she learns a skill, she has it.”
She said Christine loves participating in many activities, like swimming and horseback riding. For the past six years, Christine has been riding at the CENTER for Therapeutic Riding at C-Line Stables in Townsend.
“She has no idea that it’s exercise or good for her,” Maryanne said. “It’s therapy.”
The run/walk will be the biggest event that Christine has participated in, she said.
“It will be great to see if she can do a 5K,” Maryanne said. “It’s not going to be easy. It’s something we’re building up to.”
She said she wanted to participate in the run/walk this year to give back.
“Variety has done so much for us, let me do what I can do for Variety,” Maryanne said.
IF YOU GO
What: Delaware Variety—The Children’s Charity 5K Run/Walk
When: Sunday, Sept. 27; registration at 8 a.m., run/walk at 9 a.m.
Where: Pro Physical Therapy, 114 Sandhill Drive, Middletown
Details: Registration costs $15 before Sept. 27; $20 on the day of the walk. For more information, go to www.varitydelaware5k.org or call 302-397-0017
