Six steps across the room. Six steps persuaded me to run 13.1 miles. My inspiration, my friend, my camper Samara, walked across the room with the help of her PT, Rachel.

Later that day, we arrived at dinner to hear the lengthy list of accomplishments that had occurred throughout the day. Samara’s smile radiated as we watched Rivky, the head counselor, begin to make announcements.

“And Samara walked across the room today!”

Thunderous applause echoed throughout the room; Samara received a standing ovation from the entire Camp Simcha Special staff. That is what Camp Simcha Special is all about. It is about these most precious campers overcoming their daily struggles. It is about magic and miracles. In Camp Simcha, ventilators, wheelchairs, and G-tubes are no longer restrictions as each camper rises above her medical conditions to be her true self. I can personally attest to the fact that countless campers use the two weeks of pure fun in Camp Simcha Special to energize themselves, both physically and emotionally, for the remainder of the year.

There is no better way for me to give back to these campers who helped me see the world in a whole new light than to help raise money for Camp Simcha.

After my father ran for Team Lifeline Israel (helping raise funds that brought several Israeli children to camp this year) and spent Shabbos with some of these special campers, we decided that it was time for the Lejtman Family to go all out. This year, my father, my 14-year-old brother (Aryeh), and myself will be running 13.1 miles for Team Lifeline at the Miami Half Marathon.

13.1 miles is a long way. If you ask what will keep me going, all I can answer is that it is the determination that I witnessed on Samara’s face as she took those six steps. She told me that if she can do it, so can I.

Please donate to the Team Lejtman. All donations are tax deductible. https://www.teamlifeline.org/my/60081. Thank you for your help and support.

By Tova Lejtman