Column: Aaron Worm, Behind the Mic

We all know running and walking is good for you. It’s good for your body and good for your mind. Running or walking for a cause, does these things as well, but also gives us a special feeling that we have helped someone else.

Over the weekend, my family participated in the 11th annual Brainstorm Walk/Run in Milwaukee, Wis. As many of you know, my oldest son Lukas, who is five, has a form of epilepsy that has been resistant to many different treatments. We have become advocates to do what we can to help him and others that are affected by epilepsy. The Brainstorm Walk/Run is to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation of Southeastern Wisconsin. It’s the second year we have participated, and will continue to make it an annual event for our family.

The feeling you get as a family, especially when you are impacted so directly by the cause, is of love, support and understanding from everyone at the event. We were planning on running in the event, but decided to stroll and take time to really soak up the day. We were team “Love for Lukas,” and walked side-by-side with members of teams “Doing it for Darcy,” “Cravin for a Cure for Kathryn,” and “Dominic’s Dream team.”

We walked 3 kilometers in Veterans Park, and off the shore of Lake Michigan, and my two sons enjoyed the stroll and seeing all the people walking as a group. My sons had no idea why we were walking but enjoyed looking at ducks and watching the seagulls fly over the lake. My wife, Nadine, and I felt good by getting some exercise (which we both need more of) and by being around a group of people who knew somewhat what we were going through and how we were feeling.

After the walk, team “Love for Lukas” joined the rest of the runners and walkers for burgers, pizza and other good eats. We saw many people hugging, and a few tears as well, as I assume many stories and feelings were shared that day.

I write about this, this week for a couple of reasons, to thank everyone for their love and support for my son’s benefit earlier this month. We could not thank everyone enough, and we could never describe how great it felt to see so many people showing their love and support. Again, thank you!

Reason two, to encourage everyone to get out and participate in runs and walks around the area. There are so many in southern Minnesota each year, raising money for many causes and also for non-profit organizations that do so many wonderful things in our area.

Running and walking is good for the body and good for the mind, but being there to participate or watch makes those especially affected by the reason for the event feel inspiration, support and hope. And that is good for the heart and the soul.

KATE Radio Sports Director Aaron Worm’s column appears each Monday in the Tribune.