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| Susan Running a Marathon Prep Sketch |
Susan Craig was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 at the age of two. Her mother as well as her sister, who was nine years older also had/has the condition. Susan had some learning disabilities as a child, especially in math, fine and gross motor skills and visual perception difficulties. She also suffered from depression due to difficulties with socialization. By the time she was in ninth grade, her parents were told she needed to find something to live for, or they would lose her. She always wanted to take martial arts, so that’s what she began to do, and she remains active in Tae Kwon Do to this day and is a 3rd Dan black belt. As part of her martial arts training, her instructor encouraged her to run, and she soon discovered she had a talent for that also, including running cross country and track in college.
After college, Susan ran a couple of marathons. At the age of twenty three, she gave birth to a son named Matthew who also had NF1. At the age of four, Matthew would pass away from Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia and T-cell Lymphoma, both linked to NF1. After his passing, she felt a great need to do something to make a difference. She ran the Honolulu Marathon for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and was able to raise $5000. She has run well over 50 marathons since then, including the St. Jude Marathon and Boston Marathon multiple times, as well as the New York City Marathon. She has also competed in mountain races in the past, but increasing difficulties with balance has necessitated discontinuing competition in mountain or trail events. Susan is still a bit shy until she gets to know you. She also has difficulty with navigating in unfamiliar places. She has some muscle weakness, scoliosis, and ataxia, but none of that stops her from leading a very happy and active life. To her, the greatest satisfaction in life comes from helping/encouraging others.
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