Jane Farr is a mother of four boys and a wife in Auburn, and is also the director of the Plant Science Research Center at Auburn University.
She loves her boys, but like any mother in a house full of men, she said she has always wished for a daughter and is still waiting on a granddaughter.
“I had no girls in my life,” Farr said. “No daughters-in law and no grandbabies that are girls. I didn’t even have a female dog.”
That was the case until Farr was paired with Kerstin Soell, a 9-year-old from Norman, Oklahoma.
“If you had to make a mini-me, it would have been her,” Farr said. “I get to go shop in the pink aisles now. She’s my perfect little match.”
Farr visited her friend Kerstin in Oklahoma for the first time on Sept. 26, when she ran with her in the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma’s annual 5K race.
Kerstin was paired with Farr by I Run 4, an organization that matches adult athletes with children who have special needs and disabilities.
Kerstin was born with Down syndrome, but has never let it stop her. She is an energetic girl who loves gymnastics and horses, according to Farr. Kerstin really loves dogs, though – especially Farr’s dachshund, Roxie. Farr even bought Kerstin her own plush replica of Roxie.
The athletes run for their partners in races and other types of sporting events all over the nation. The athletes then dedicate the event to their buddy.
The athletes run for their partners in races and other types of sporting events all over the nation. The athletes then dedicate the event to their buddy.
Farr has even sent Kerstin a photo she took with Bo Jackson when she participated in one of his charity events, Bo Bikes Bama.
Farr was introduced to I Run 4 by her older sister who lives in Maine. After her nephew developed a heart condition, Farr began to run for him. He later recovered after a heart transplant, but Farr wasn’t done with I Run 4.
Sarah Soell, Kerstin’s mom, said she and Kerstin got involved with I Run 4 to promote Down syndrome awareness.
Sarah said they never expected Farr to become such an integral part of their lives. They immediately fell in love.
“Kerstin is completely in love with Jane," Sarah said. "When something happens, the first person we call and tell the exciting news to is Mrs. Jane.”
Sarah and Farr are close as well, Farr is an honorary member of the Soell family.
“Mrs. Jane and I talk or text almost every day,” Sarah said. “Sometimes I’ll send her a quick text [about Kerstin’s day] or if I’m having a hard day, she always gives me such encouraging advice. You can feel her excitement and energy even in her text messages.”
I Run 4 now has close to 35,000 members, according to Farr, and there is a waitlist as long as 4,000 for athletes wanting to participate. The organization is growing exponentially.
Amy Sue Reilly, an associate professor of special education, rehab and counseling at Auburn University, said relationships such as Kerstin has with Farr can be greatly beneficial.
“It’s almost like a surprise birthday present,” Reilly said. “Instead of a birthday card that’s almost required to be given, it’s a surprise gift that keeps on giving and giving.”
Reilly said relationships a child develops with adults who are not necessarily part of his or her family are among some of the most important; however, those relationships are especially powerful for children with special needs.
“To see that someone likes you because you’re you is the most healthy thing you can ask for,” Reilly said. “By being able to tell someone else that you care enough about them that you’re going to run for them, in honor of them in that way, you’re establishing a bond or a relationship.”
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