For runner Alex Mayer, competing in the Boston Marathon was more than just crossing the finish line.
In January 2023, Alex woke up in a hospital bed with no memory, unable to move. Diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a rare autoimmune disease, Alex faced a long road to recovery.
"It was difficult to come to terms with the fact that not only could I not walk or move, but also my identity had been altered," Alex recalled.
Relearning basic skills and facing new challenges, Alex took on physical therapy, isolation, and a changed college experience.
"The hardest part of my recovery was trying to accept that this had happened," said Alex. "I was forever changed, and not everyone around me would be able to understand what that was like."
Setting new goals in physical therapy, Alex aimed to run the Boston Marathon after being inspired by the event in 2024.
With determination and support from friends and family, Alex achieved her goal and crossed the finish line with gratitude.
"Yes, she ran a marathon," said Claire Rose, one of Alex's best friends. "But more importantly, the whole weekend felt like a celebration of how far she had come, both physically and mentally."
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