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Michael Palmer Running Boston for Flutie Foundation

By contributor,
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Didn’t know if the following might be something for the paper; but I thought I’d write a note about an incredible young man from Hopkinton to share with you. He is truly an inspiration and he’s running the Boston Marathon this year. His name is Michael Palmer.

He grew up in Hopkinton and graduated from Hopkinton High School in 2012. He played little league, wrote his bike around town and did many typical things a kid would do.

But Mike was not typical. From birth he had low muscle tone after being born 4 weeks early. He developed scoliosis that would require 3 surgeries by the time he was 25, the first when he was in high school. Although he loved sports of all kind, he couldn’t play as he got older because of this physicality. But Mike figured out how to surround himself with the people he looked up to, the athletes, by helping as a stats person or manager wherever he could. He looked for ways to be included in his beloved sports world.

Oh, and he also had Asperger Autism. The challenge was it took years to find it making Mike’s school years really tough. School was frustrating. Friendships and social engagements were difficult. He watched from the outside. But his spirit stayed strong. He had his dreams and wasn’t going to be deterred. He went to college, found a job and moving into his first apartment. He achieved a lot of his goals. But one eluded him- running the Boston Marathon.

He is now weeks away from completing that goal as he runs with the Doug Flutie Foundation to raise awareness for Autism. The people in this organization have been truly supportive and just as inspiring as Michael himself. The statement below is from his fundraising page and I think he does a pretty terrific job of summing everything up.

“Growing up in Hopkinton, attending the start of the race every year, I have always wanted to run the Boston Marathon. I am running for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation because it has a deep connection to me. I grew up with Aspergers. It went undiagnosed for most of my childhood. Upon diagnosis the challenges I grew up with that felt unique to me started to make more sense. Understanding that I was not alone in this daily struggle and connecting with others like me has made such a difference in my life. I want to continue to spread that message by running with the Doug Flutie Jr Foundation for Autism. I have lived my life overcoming difficult obstacles as a result of Aspergers, and the Boston Marathon is another challenge that I am ready to conquer. I want people to know, no matter who you are, if you put your mind to something you can achieve it!

Please considering donating to this great charity in honor of all of those affected by autism.
Thank you,
Mike Palmer”

As his mom, I just thought I’d share Michael Palmer with you. I worked with the wonderful special education parent’s group for years in Hopkinton, helping parents champion their kids and helping them find their own strengths. When it comes together for families with kids and disabilities it is truly a sweet victory. Michael’s cross of the finish line in April will be ever so much sweeter because it is a dream and success of so many years, shared by so many. Thank you to all who inspire kids like Mike to never stop dreaming.

If you’d like to learn more about Mike, let me know. His fundraising page can be reached at
https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/FlutieBoston2019/michaelpalmer31.

I can be reached through email at k.weiskerger@gmail.com or by phone at 774-217-3162. Feel free to reach out to Mike also if you’d like at michael.palmer87@gmail.com.

Thank you- Karen Weiskerger