"The Ross we have now is different, but we still have Ross with us," said Andrea Folmar, mother of Ross Folmar.
Her words are in line with the attitude of those participating in the second annual Run with Ross Saturday, May 21. The 5K run has has undergone a name change since last year's event that echoes Andrea's positive words. Last year the run was called Run for Ross. Since Ross can now leave his house in his wheelchair, the organizer saw the change as a necessary one.
The run, organized by the Auburn Opelika Running and Track Association, benefits Ross and his family as they continue to recover from the unusual accident Ross was in one year ago.
Ross's story continues to be told by his mother through his caringbridge.com site. On the site, she explained that Ross was throwing a baseball in the backyard of the family's Auburn home when the ball hit Ross in the chest. This act of playing catch is not unusual for children Ross's age, but the ball hit his chest and immediately stopped his heart.
"He was rushed to East Alabama Medical Center and then airlifted to Birmingham's Childern's Hospital and placed in the Intensive Care Unit," Andrea wrote on the site.
Ross was diagnosed with commotio cordis, a disturbance of the heartbeat that occurs as a result of a blow to the area directly over the heart at a crucial time during the sequence of a heart beat.
Despite the diagnosis, however, Andrea said there is "no certain prognosis." Since the condition has a 35 percent survival rate, Ross has overcome great odds.
And hope for more recovery has not been abandoned, because Ross has made many significant improvements over the past year.
Andrea said on the site that Ross has regained the ability to express joy again.
A group of Ross's friends will be there this year to accompany him in his wheelchair through the 1k portion of the run.
Participants should meet at Ogletree Village at 7:30 a.m. for registration, where Blooming Colors, Inc. will be providing refreshments. The run will begin at approximately 9:15 a.m.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
