Uplifting Canton 5K aids kids living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Canton High School junior-to-be Nathan Miller means so much to so many.

That was never more evident than Sunday morning at Canton’s Heritage Park when close to 300 people gathered under cloudy skies for the 10th Annual Nathan Ninjas 5K event.

Money raised from the event through corporate sponsorships, simple donations and registration fees help the Miller family pay for essential medications and home improvements for Nathan (and other kids diagnosed with Duchenne), who was diagnosed with Duchenne in 2015.

The inspiration for the event — Nathan Miller — cruised around the event area near the Heritage Park pond in his motorized wheelchair, often flashing a million-dollar smile while wearing cool shades and an upbeat attitude.

The Miller family’s “Let’s make lemonade out of lemons” approach to Nathan’s daunting diagnosis has been a beacon of hope for those who know Nathan, as well as complete strangers.

Support: ‘Nothing short of amazing’

“The community support we’ve received since Nate’s diagnosis has been nothing short of amazing,” said Nathan’s dad, Ryan Miller, who along with mom Andrea Miller and their oldest son Nick have never wavered from their optimistic view of their 10-year journey.

“Our village of supporters — including friends, family, local businesses who sponsor our fundraising events (Nathan’s Ninjas also host a golf tournament every fall) — has been so dedicated to our cause … it’s hard to put into words.”

During a pre-race speech, Ryan Miller reminded the Ninjas (the cool title given to the non-profit’s supporters) that every dollar they’ve donated has helped the Millers build an elevator in their home so that Nathan can hang out with friends in their basement — a simple pleasure he was not able to experience before the addition of the elevator.

“Every teenager should be able to have a space where they can go to spend time with their friends, away from their parents, to chill and have fun,” Ryan Miller said. “This elevator has given Nate that opportunity he didn’t have before because the bulk of the motorized wheelchair was too much to get him down the stairs.”

Nathan is a warrior

Miller’s update on Nathan’s current condition was positive.

“He recently attended an MDA summer camp for a week — Nate doesn’t understand why it can’t be two or three weeks, Ryan quipped — and, as always, he said it was his favorite week of the year,” Ryan Miller said.

“He’s doing well at Canton High School, where he has achieved high grades despite the obstacles he faces.”

The Nathan’s Ninjas 5K is unique to most 5Ks in that it is a very casual event with no official timing.

“The serious runners still keep their times on their watches, but we have a laid-back approach to this,” Miller said. “People bring their dogs to walk or run with, you see people pushing strollers and wheelchairs. Everyone is a winner for participating.”

Sweet swag

Every participant is presented with a cool T-shirt and eye-catching medal — symbolic items by which the Millers show their appreciation.

Ninjas who live out of state — including Andrea Miller’s parents and their friends in a Florida senior-living community — even run virtual 5Ks in an effort to help the cause.

“Again, we’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received,” Ryan Miller asserted.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.