A speech by Kerry Rice at the 2024 WeRunWithYou Run4Rehab Celebration

Good afternoon, my name is Kerry Rice.

Congratulations to all the runners! What a great accomplishment and for such a worthy cause. Thanks also to the families and friends who support runners- it’s not an easy job! I’m sure many of you have heard these words: “I need to do a long run this weekend” or “Did she start yet? Are you tracking her? Did we miss her?”

Special thanks to Kathy and Rob, the heart and soul of WeRunWithYou for such a great weekend and for your passion and dedication. Kathy, what’s harder? Organizing this weekend or running a marathon? You’ve made both look easy and I am grateful to be here.

I am thankful to have the opportunity to speak today. When I am out running, I get a lot of thinking done. I don’t run with music or a watch anymore. Instead, I just let my thoughts go where they may. Sometimes I plan my week and sometimes I plan my grocery list. On a run a couple of weeks back when thinking of what to say today, the first thing that came to mind was “I remember where I was”.  So that is the theme of my remarks today.

I remember where I was in September 2016 when I heard the news about my sister Kate. The news came in a text which may sound impersonal but with a family of 11, let’s face it, it’s the quickest way to get the information out.

As my eyes ran across the words on the screen, brain bleed, airlifted to Boston Medical, my head started to swim. What did this mean? What happened? What will happen? We had entered the unknown.

As we navigated this new world of brain aneurysms, Kate fought her way back from the ICU and was discharged in good physical health 6 weeks later. What we didn’t know and what is often not talked about is the mental health battle that many survivors face. Kate continues to meet challenge after challenge with spirit and determination. If she was here today, she would have everyone laughing in less than 5 minutes and would be in awe of the strength and courage in this room. We love you Kate. Keep going.

I remember where I was in August 2022 when I got the news about my sister Meg. Another text, same words- brain bleed, airlifted to Boston Medical. I fell into my husband’s arms. You see, this time, I knew. That night my sister Beth and my husband and I stayed up most of the night waiting for news, praying fervently. The days and weeks that followed were harrowing but through the power of prayer, a whole lot of hard work and family support, Meg is here today, strong and healthy, shining as a wife and mother. We love you Meg.

I remember where I was when I found Kathy on Instagram. In the wake of what had happened to Kate and Meg, I was searching for anything and everything I could find about brain aneurysms. Kathy’s story struck me because as a runner, I was so inspired by her comeback and fierce drive. I remember telling my husband about Kathy and then connecting with her via message. She encouraged me to not give up hope and to cherish even the small wins. Kathy’s mission to bring attention and awareness to rehabilitation and post care for survivors is so important to this community and her fundraising efforts have a direct and profound impact in that arena. I’m so happy to have met Kathy and her family in person for the first time today.

I remember where I was in the fall of 2022 as we waited for MRA screening results. Doctors urged all first degree relatives to get screened. For some it was easy and covered by insurance but for others it was more complex. Over the next few months we would learn that my mother, Terry, and two of my brothers had unruptured aneurysms. Thankfully all were successfully treated and are monitored closely. This brings to light the need for screenings and how something as “simple” as 15 minutes in a dark and tiny tube can save lives.

The work continues. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of WRWY, the DPT program at the University of Delaware is able to embark on a research project to provide support to stroke survivors in gaining independence in their communities. I wish them luck in this important work.

While I will always remember these moments along the way, I will never forget how far we have come.

Kerry Rice

Kerry Rice lives in Norwalk, CT with her husband and their three children. Kerry became passionate about spreading awareness about brain aneurysms after 2 of her sisters survived ruptured aneurysms and her mother and two of her brothers had unruptured aneurysms treated. Kerry enjoys running and reading and spending time at the beach.