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Marathon Love on Discovery Health
The documentary I shot with Eric Sharmer is going to be airing on Discovery Health on Sunday, December 14th at 8pm. For those of you in the Boston area, it is Comcast channel 226 (D-HC). This is the world premiere, so set those DVRs! This is the press release: (Silver Spring, Md.)—Just before her wedding day in 1987, Lynn Parks’ dream of walking down the aisle was shattered when a devastating car accident left her comatose and clinging to life. Miraculously, she awoke seven months later to find that her fiancé, Jamie, had never left her side. However, her struggle was not nearly over, as she had suffered a brain stem injury rendering her unable to ever stand or walk on her own again. Fast-forward to 2008—this amazing husband-and-wife team has now run more than 12,000 miles and completed several marathons—and are the proud parents of an 8-year-old daughter. On Sunday, December 14, at 8 PM (ET/PT), Discovery Health premieres MARATHON LOVE, an engrossing hour-long special that weaves together professional footage with Jamie’s personal home videos to tell a tale of true love, perseverance and the power of the human spirit. Even during the darkest days after the accident, Jamie’s faith never wavered—and after seven years of grueling physical and speech therapy, he and Lynn finally walked down the aisle on their wedding day. An avid runner, Jamie began to push Lynn in her wheelchair as he ran the one-mile loop through their Chicago neighborhood. Soon after, the couple began entering races, eventually qualifying for the ultracompetitive 2008 Boston Marathon. While the Boston Marathon was a lifelong dream for Jamie and Lynn, they will tell you that it doesn’t compare with another miracle that occurred eight years ago. Doctors had told Lynn that because of her injuries, she would not be able to have children—but in 2000, Lynn gave birth to a healthy and happy girl, Annalyn. As a baby, Annalyn sat on her mother’s lap as Jamie pushed them in more than 50 races. Now 8 years old, Annalyn shares her parents’ passion and often accompanies them on their daily runs. MARATHON LOVE is an inspiring account of a family coming together that serves as a moving reminder of the power of love and the strength of the human spirit. MARATHON LOVE is a co-production between Discovery Health and LMNO. For Discovery Health, Wendy Douglas is executive producer, and for LMNO, Ruth Rivin and Eric Schotz are executive producers. My original blog from the marathon shoot with behind the scenes photos can be viewed here. This is the documentary trailer from health.discovery.com: 9 comments to Marathon Love on Discovery Health |
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Copyright © 2012 Tom Guilmette - All Rights Reserved |
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Having only recently lost the love of my life to cancer, Jamie and Lynn’s story was so very touching. I know the sort of love they share and to see them rise from the depths of despair they surely felt after Lynn’s accident is so inspiring. I wish them a long, loving life together!
Hi Tom! I am a Guidance Counselor in NW Indiana. My school has a growing history of hosting assemblies that exemplify EXCELLENCE. It caught my attention that Jamie and Lynn at some point lived in Lansing Illinois (very close to our school). Are they still there? If so is there contact info for them? Either way, I appreciate your efforts and the quality exhibited through Marathon Love. Warmest regards…
I watched Marathon Love on Sunday and I cried the entire hour. It was such a touching and moving story. I wish this story would get more publicity than even just the little Discovery Health channel. This is a story of true love and in a world where everyone’s perception of love has been distorted into something that it is not, it is so refreshing to see an example of true love, commitment and dedication. I absolutely love this family’s story and their appreciation for one another and for life. I would love to get in contact with them and send them a letter or an email if you have their information. Thank you for sharing this story with us.
This story has given me so much hope. I am going through a similiar situation with my brother. He has been in a coma since March 14,2008. We are in what doctors call a vegatative state at the moment. We are waiting for that miracle where he will respond one day. The miracle Jamie and Lynn recieved the day that Lynn said “MIKE”.
Thank you for sharing this story.
Chad-
Jamie works in Lansing but Jamie and Lynn are in Tinley Park. They have spoken at my school (I’m his sister and teach in California) and it’s hugely inspirational for the kids to hear the message. Contact me if you’d like and I’ll get you their contact info.
Jodi (jodi@disario.com)
@Jodi:
Thanks for the help. I really enjoyed working on this documentary and I am happy that this story is getting publicity.
EG’s post above (Dec 15th) did an excellent job of capturing what a moving story this is. I stumbled upon it last night, and I’m so glad I happened to catch it. Like EG, I cried all the way through it.
Jodi, if you see this, please give your brother a hug from me. I loved when he said that without Lynn he would just be a mailman who runs. Aww… he’s such a lovely person. It warms my heart to know he exists!
Tom, thanks for bringing us this beautiful story. I will try to remember it during moments where my faith in mankind is challenged (I live in Philly so that happens quite a bit – LOL).
I strongly recommend that you turn the No Follow off in your comment section. I’ll watch Google Webmaster Tools, and if the links don’t show up after a couple of weeks — I won’t go back to that blog again. Another suggestion: you should have a Top Commentator widget installed. Do Follow and Top Commentator will ensure that you have a successful blog with lots of readers!
Not to be publishet!:
Please answer me privately (by e-mail).
How can I view the whole documentary? Is it possible to buy the video?(must be possible to watch on european DVD machines).
I live in Norway.
Thank you!!