I met Alexa’s family at last spring’s HCU Conference in Boston, and I was very touched by their story. Alexa’s Mom, Erika, started noticing something was wrong with her when she was 2 years old. She wasn’t reaching the normal milestones, but it wasn’t until she was 4 years old that they received the official diagnosis of Homocystinuria (HCU) due to her dislocated lens.
At that point she began treatment. Alexa is now 19 years old, but she is mentally challenged with the mind of a 4-5 year old. Her family continues to seek better treatments for Alexa.
I’m thrilled to dedicate one of the Miami Half Marathon miles to Alexa, and I’m also hoping to meet her while I’m in Miami as that’s where she and her family live! I’ve been exchanging Facebook messages with Erika and we hope to reconnect while I’m in town for the race weekend. Stay tuned for an update after the race!
If you’d like to make a donation to HCU Network America in support of Alexa or another HCU Hero, please visit my fundraising page for the 2019 Miami Half Marathon.