I founded Premier Literacy to develop technology that will help people to reach their full potential. I have spoken locally, nationally and internationally on “how not to limit yourself”. I have traveled across Canada and the United States delivering the message “if you believe you can, maybe you can”. It was a great line, but it eventually became just words. I was guilty of not following my own advice. I was guilty of paying mere lip service to the core philosophy which had been such a driving force in my life. After a little soul-searching, I came to the conclusion that if I was going to continue to “talk the talk”, it was time to “walk the talk” and Team Premier was born.

I was a bicycle racer before I lost my vision in my early twenties. Though I have never allowed my sight, or lack thereof, get in my way, I thought I had to give up competition. How could a blind person compete again? I turned my energies toward building a life I was comfortable with in spite of my visual challenges. The years that followed were kind in that I discovered my passion for literacy and a commitment to sharing it. In almost every way, my life was perfect. Life, however, always comes with a “but”. Turning 41 last year, tipping the scales at nearly 300 pounds and being unable to walk up a flight of stairs and keep my breath was the “but”. Years of being on the road with work and not watching what I put in my mouth had taken a heavy toll. It was a far cry from my racing days.

I decided that if I could “talk the talk” about not limiting yourself and believing that you can do anything, it was time for me to put my money where my mouth was. I decided that a life change was necessary and that I would “talk the talk” and “walk the talk”. I had a lot of undoing to do from years of inactivity and not watching what I put into my mouth, but I began training again.

My goal was to get back in shape and run some 10K races. I had hoped that I might even be able to do a half marathon. After losing my first 50 pounds, I started to really pick up speed which enabled me to change my goals. A full marathon was within my reach. I stepped up my training to meet these new goals and that enabled me to lose another 40 pounds. Now I was even faster.

Finally, and with a few setbacks, I am running marathons. I have rediscovered my competitive self; I am in better shape physically and mentally; and I am “talking the talk” and “running the talk”. And, perhaps, the most exciting thing is that I am continuing to challenge myself. I hope to set the world record this summer for being the world’s fastest blind runner. I am a mere eight minutes from the current world record. Running blind is difficult. Living with a learning disability is even more difficult. Running has been a life-changing event for me. It is a tangible reminder that challenges are meant to be overcome. So I am going to keep running and I hope to promote literacy while I do it. I wanted to show that if you try hard enough you can make things happen.

This is the story of how I came to find myself running. I am running for myself and I am running for Literacy. Will I set the record? I don’t know – but I will never know if I don’t try. I am only eight minutes shy of setting the world speed record for a blind marathon runner. I may be blind but I still have vision and so, I invite you to be part of Team Premier and go the distance - to run for literacy – to run down barriers – to soar. Please join me in helping to bring awareness to this very worthy cause! Together, we can outrun literacy challenges and change the world for those who struggle with the printed word. Together, we can raise money and awareness. Together, we are unbeatable. Any money I can raise in my quest for the world record will be donated to the local chapter of the LDA – all money raised in Ontario will be donated to the LDAO. I hope this generates awareness and understanding of the difficulties faced by those with literacy challenges.

Team Premier will be posting dates and times when I will be trying to set the records. All the details can be found on the Race Schedule . I will start with trying to become the fastest blind runner in Canada and the United States; then, I will set my sights on the world record. I may not do it the first time I try but then who does? Thanks, again, for all your support; and, more importantly, thanks for holding the door open for so many bright minds.

Cheers and see you on the course.
Stephanie Anne Timmer PhD
Steph@run4literacy.com