At the heart of the CP Warrior mission lies the belief that every person with cerebral palsy has a story of courage to tell—and every caregiver, parent or sibling is part of that journey too. Today I want to share a story that beautifully intertwines those themes: the story of Dr. Larue Fitch, an elementary‐school principal in Chicago, and his 9-year-old son, Josiah Fitch, living with cerebral palsy. Their journey gives us lessons on love, resilience and the power of purpose.
The Setup
Dr. Fitch already had a running habit when Josiah was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in 2021. He began running for his mental health and general wellness. People.com The diagnosis shifted his motivation: he realized that his role had expanded—not simply as a dad and educator, but as someone who could serve as an example to his son and to special-needs students in his school. People.com
Josiah’s journey hasn’t been easy. He has faced many of the typical CP-related challenges: walking issues, leg surgery, casting and injections, as well as the frequent physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy involved. People.com Dr. Fitch said:
“The basic things we can do to walk, he struggles with it. From having to wear a walking cast to having surgery, to having shots in his legs… things that a 9-year-old doesn’t want to go through.” People.com
And yet, Josiah remains an inspiration for his dad, who starts each run, each race, thinking of him.
The Big Race
On November 2, 2025, Dr. Fitch ran the New York City Marathon (his 14th marathon in six years) and achieved a personal best time. People.com What stands out isn’t just the finish time—it’s the “why” behind the run.
He tuned out his usual music and tuned into the city: the roar of the crowd, the rhythm of footsteps, the energy of runners with and without disabilities. At one point, when fatigue threatened, his son called him via FaceTime:
“Dad, keep going.”
At that moment, Dr. Fitch said to himself: “I can’t quit. I can’t, I don’t care how I feel.” People.com
Post-race, he returned to work Monday morning as principal, medal around his neck, letting his students wear it, showing them that toughness and community matter. He donated the medal to the school. People.com
Why This Matters for the CP Warrior Community
- Purpose drives performance. Dr. Fitch’s “why” became Josiah, his students and his community. When you anchor what you do in meaning—as many CP Warrior parents and caregivers do—you tap into something far deeper than motivation.
- Walking with someone with CP is a full-time team sport. The therapies, surgeries, flags of progress and setbacks—all feed into the story. Dr. Fitch acknowledged the long haul of getting Josiah to therapy and staying consistent. That persistence is familiar to many families.
- Representation matters. Josiah—despite the challenges—ran a 5 K in 2023 after watching his dad run. People.com That kind of “I saw it, I did it” effect is gold for children with CP. It says: “Yes, you belong in the race; yes, you can push your limits.”
- Community builds grit. Dr. Fitch trains with the Peace Runners 773, a Chicago nonprofit focused on health and wellness through fitness. People.com In many ways, managing CP is also about the community around you—therapists, friends, schools, peer groups who say “we’ve got you.”
- Celebrating more than just the finish line. In the CP Warrior world, it’s not only the big milestones (first steps, standing, running) but the consistent invisible work: therapy sessions, preparation, hope, advocacy. Dr. Fitch donated the medal so his students could wear it: that moment of sharing becomes a teaching moment.
Quick Takeaways for Families & Caregivers
- Find your “why”: For families impacted by cerebral palsy, the ‘why’ might be your child, your sibling, your student. Keeping that front and center helps when the journey gets tough.
- Celebrate the small victories, not just the big ones. Whether it’s a 5 K finish, a therapy goal met, or simply a good day, every step counts.
- Embed movement and community: Whether your loved one with CP is running, walking, rolling or adapting, movement paired with supportive friends, club or group makes a difference.
- Lead by example: Whether you’re a parent, sibling, educator or caregiver, your actions ripple. Dr. Fitch wearing his medal to school? That’s leadership.
- Stay consistent: Grit is built by showing up again and again. This is a marathon—figuratively and literally.
Final Thought
Dr. Larue Fitch’s journey isn’t only about him or his son. It’s about how one person’s commitment can spark hope, model perseverance and change a community’s mindset about disability, achievement and inclusion. At CP Warrior, our mission is to elevate those stories—and to remind all of us: you are a warrior; you belong in this race.
If you have a story of someone with cerebral palsy (or anyone in your life) whose perseverance inspires you, we’d love to hear it. Drop us a line; let’s keep sharing the victories—big, small and in-between.
