Rhode Island International Film Festival 2009

Tim Borland, a 31-year-old father of two discovers his talent for endurance running is no longer fulfilled in the competitive realm. He meets 15-year old, Cathryn Achilles who is diagnosed with the rare terminal disease A-T. Despite the progressive loss of her ability to walk, talk, eat and sing Cathryn's unwavering spirit inspires Borland to draw attention to the cause. He embarks on the A-T Cure Tour. Borland runs 63 consecutive marathons (26.2 miles) spanning more than 14-thousand miles, 29 States, 1 Canadian Province and 63 communities where A-T children live. Every step of the journey, Borland pushes a mobility-jogging stroller that either carries an A-T child or a banner bearing the name of child who died. Battling excessive heat, drastic elevation changes, drenching downpours and hurricane strength winds, one man connects families and children whose hope for a cure or life prolonging treatment is further complicated because so few are impacted. Along our journey, we intimately meet three A-T families whose children are experiencing three different stages of the disease. Mark and Laura Lesperance of Neenah, Wisconsin, have two boys Max and Jake. At three months old, Jake was the youngest diagnosed case of A-T. Both boys struggle with compromised immune systems and showcase the typical first signs of the disease with a drunken sailor walk. We see them during one of their monthly hospital visits where the boys endure IVIG treatments to boost their ability to fight off illnesses. At home, the 18 month old and 3 year old, run and play, they are too young to understand the muscle control and abilities they are mastering now, will slowly be taken away from them. John and Marcia Wood of Lemont, Illinois adopted five Asian children. Eleven-year-old Alyssa was three when she joined their family. Looking back at the video footage they filmed in Vietnam, they now recognize the balance problems that are telltale signs of her terminal disease. The 5th grader has a love of life that draws people to her like a magnet. She exemplifies the typical progression of A-T, as most kids are in wheelchairs by age 10. Alyssa is now old enough to know she's a lot different than other kids her age, and candidly confesses she is often lonely. Sixteen-year-old Cathryn Achilles has lost her ability to play the harp and piano. She is wheelchair bound and each night a feeding tube pumps vital calories into her stomach. She enjoys picking out fabric for quilting, picking on her younger brother and participating in her local theatre company. Cathryn inspired Tim's journey.It is the reality of what these kids face every day that empowers Tim to complete each day's course. When Borland successfully completes all 63 marathons, he'll get a break. The kids don't. At it's heart, Feat exemplifies the limitless potential of the human body and spirit when focused on a goal greater than one's self.