Welcome to Friday’s Featured Female!

Friday's Featured Female, #FFF

This weekly series features inspirational stories from admirable women.  IMHO, it’s always good to be reminded of how strength, determination, hard work, heart and ingenuity can impact the quality of one’s life and I’m proud that these women will allow me to share their stories here.

It’s been a short while since I’ve been regular with featuring wonderful females in the world and today I’m very happy to be featuring Smitha@RunningWithSDMom.

Smitha has only been blogging for a year but she has already made quite an impression in the health/wellness blogging sphere.  Her passion for running, family and her work (professionally, as a blogger and as a community builder) all emanate from her pages.  Smitha is one of those bloggers that I haven’t met but know I’d like.  The positive attitude that comes from everything that I read from Smitha is infectious and inspiring because there’s passion in everything that this woman does.  I hope to meet this lady in person soon but until that time……

Haaaave you met Smitha?

I am so honored to be guest posting on Melissa’s blog today!  Someone who loves Duran Duran MORE than me?  Can’t even!  Rio is my favorite song ever!

runningwithSDmom, running, san diego, epilepsy

My name is Smitha and I blog at Running with SD Mom.  But first, a little bit about me as a woman.  I am a wife to SD Dad and a mom to S & D.  Most people don’t know that my blog name is not just a tribute to my favorite city in the world but also to my babies, S & D!  I am also a full time attorney.
Smitha, running with SD mom
smitha, kids
When S was 18 months old, she was diagnosed with epilepsy.  To say that this one event completely changed my life is an understatement.  S being diagnosed with epilepsy made me realize that no matter what happens in this world, my kids depend on me to be their parent and protect them as much as I can.  I have to be their advocate and their voice.  Now, almost 4 years later, S is the bravest, happiest, smartest girl I know.  She bugs her brother and he just adores her.  Well, that is when he feels like it.  We have been thru a lot over the years.  Medicine changes, hospital stays, ambulance rides, blood draws.  Enough to rob any person of their sanity.
smithaepilepsy2
So now, we get to the running.  Running has saved my life.  I used to think I started running because I wanted to run away from everything in my life.  Instead, I realize I run to shed the negativity and the pessimism.  Each run for me, difficult or easy, hilly or flat, is cathartic.  I literally sweat the stress away.  And I come home at the end of the day feeling like a better mother and a better wife but most of all, a better self!
smithafinish
For better or for worse, Epilepsy is my cause.  I didn’t choose it, it chose me.  I truly believe that God doesn’t give you anything you can’t handle.  So when I was given a daughter with epilepsy, I realized that I have the power to do something about this disease.  Here are some facts about this disease:
  • 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
  • Each year at least 200,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy.
  • Epilepsy effects more people than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s combined – yet receives fewer federal dollars per patient than each of these.
smithaepilepsy1
 
I am not the type to sit back and just let this disease happen to someone I love.  I decided to take an active role in helping the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County help people like Serena.  I started Team Serena’s Crusaders to help raise money and awareness for this disease.  Over the last 3 years, I have raised over $20,000.00 for the Foundation.  And I am asking you to check out the website and see if you would like to join our team or donate today!  I have a goal of $10,000 this year and the 5K is only a few days away.  Please help us get to our goal!
 
In the meantime, check out the Blog.  I have lots of fun giveaways and I do a link up every Wednesday and we get over 45 prizes to giveaway each week!  Check it out here.  
 
Thank you for reading!  
To connect further with Smitha, you can read her blog, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.   Consider donating to Team Serena’s Crusaders today.