Meg Wilkie is a junior at Syracuse University with a huge passion for running. Meg was born with a developmental disability and suffers from chronic nerve damage, but that does not slow her down.
Transcript
JOHN PERIK (reporter): “At Syracuse University in Haven Hall. You’ll find one supportive friend. Whether Meg Wilkie’s friends are playing pool. The piano Or Dancing. Meg seldom participates in the fun… because she’s usually tired… from doing what she loves most.”
MEG WILKIE: “I ran this morning before work. 6:30. How many miles 4, but then I ran 5 more tonight on the track.”
JOHN PERIK: “Meg Wilkie runs a lot. It’s her passion.”
MEG WILKIE: “I’m not going to do it as hard, though.”
JOHN PERIK: “For Meg, it’s all about distance”
MEG WILKIE: “And I’ve run 30 marathons.”
JOHN PERIK: “And look right behind her; she’s got the hardware to prove it”
MEG WILKIE: “This is from the New York City, and this is from Oregon.”
JOHN PERIK: Meg’s journey to each finish line she’s crossed is as improbable as her journey to Syracuse University… she was born with a developmental disability, but thanks to the InclusiveU program, Meg is living her dream.
JOSH JONES, (Meg’s mentor): “She is truly the embodiment of if you work hard, there’s nothing you can’t achieve.”
JOHN PERIK: “Josh Jones is one of Meg’s mentors at InclusiveU, Which offers the opportunity for people developmentally challenged to attend college”
JOSH JONES: “Being able to run one marathon is impressive being able to do the extent she’s done is next level.”
JOHN PERIK: “And that’s just what her friends on the club running team will tell you”
RUNNING FRIEND: “I mean, it’s inspiring and honestly makes me feel I’m not doing enough as a long-distance runner, and I should be pushing myself more a little bit.”
RUNNING FRIEND: “She’s what drives most people and like inspires people to even come to practice. Because they’re like, I don’t feel like going to practice, I just had a whole day of school, I’m hungry, I want to take a nap, and then you see Meg at practice running several miles on the track or going outside.”
MEG WILKIE: “Um, I never thought I would be so inspiring to people.”
JOHN PERIK: “And yet she is… her running coach.”
MEG WILKIE: “This is my running coach right here.”
JOHN PERIK: “Is awed by her.”
RUNNING COACH: “You can imagine more people are coming into that group because they want that feel good and she’s radiating it.”
JOHN PERIK: “Throughout meg’s whole life, she’s faced adversity, and on her birthday in 2014, a new obstacle came her way.
meg slipped and fell outside of her house… doctors diagnosed her with chronic nerve damage in her arm and shoulder… they told her she may never run again… but that’s not an answer meg has ever been willing to accept.”
MEG WILKIE:
“That’s not going to happen, I’m going to be able to run again.”
JOHN PERIK: “And her mom Carol had no doubt”
CAROL WILKIE, (Meg’s mother): “She’s not going to give up, she wants to run every state.”
JOHN PERIK: “And despite the pain, she’s on her way.”
MEG WILKIE: “There’s quite a bit I’ve done or will be doing 17 states.”
RUNNING FRIEND: “If she has the ability the means and the time to reach all 50 states, I see her doing that.”
JOHN PERIK: “From coast to coast, Meg wants to all 50.”
MENTOR: “Like there is nothing stopping this girl and it’s a message to not only InclusiveU students and staff but to anyone who pays attention to her story that there is legitimately nothing holding you back from achieving what you want in life.”
JOHN PERIK: “And on Saturday, she was back at it.” Whether it’s a developmental disability… or chronic nerve damage, Meg will keep on leaping hurdles and racing to the finish line. In Syracuse, John Perik, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — In Haven Hall at Syracuse University, you will find a student with a huge passion for overcoming obstacles. Meg Wilkie is a junior in SU’s InclusiveU program. She has made running marathons her identity.
Meg Wilkie battles both chronic nerve damage and a developmental disability, but that won’t ever stop her from chasing her dreams.
“I want to run a marathon in all 50 states, and I’m going to,” Wilkie said. “People say I’m inspiring, but I just like running.”
Meg has plenty of mentors at Syracuse University. One of her biggest fans is Josh Jones, who works with students at InclusiveU.
“She is truly the embodiment of if you work hard, there’s nothing you can’t achieve,” said Jones. “Being able to run one marathon is impressive being able to do the extent she’s done is next level.”
Meg Wilkie is also a member of Syracuse University’s club running team.
“They are a very nice group of people that always support me and welcome me,” said Wilkie. “It’s great running after school and inside during the winter.”
Meg was diagnosed with chronic nerve damage in 2014 after falling outside of her house on her birthday. Doctors questioned whether Meg would ever be able to run again. Meg’s Mother, Carol Wilkie, had no doubt.
“She’s not giving up; she wants to run every state,” Carol Wilkie said.
Meg’s family, friends, and mentors, have no doubt she will one day run in all 50 states. “Like there is nothing stopping this girl, and it’s a message to not only InclusiveU students and staff but to anyone who pays attention to her story that there is legitimately nothing holding you back from achieving what you want in life,” said Josh Jones.