Jacob Dionne

Family and Friends,

I have decided to challenge myself beyond anything I have done before. This will be through the completion of not one, not two, but three separate spartan races! All three races will be conducted within a two day period, alongside my fearless brother Devon!

The trifecta consists of a 21K obstacle course named the Beast, a 10K course called the Super, and lastly a 5k course known as the Sprint. All will be performed in a period of two days in June at the spartan compound in Bozeman, Montana.

I had not considered  fundraising for this event, until I recently visited home in March. This visit was the first time I had not visited with Corrine Murphy (a.k.a Murph), and her daughter Maya on my return home trips since joining the Navy in 2019. I became quite emotional the last day of my visit when reflecting on this, and is the inspiration of this fundraiser.

My relationship with Corinne started freshman year of high school, where she routinely called me out on my academic BS! She was the kind of teacher who truly wanted every student to reach their full potential, and strived to make a personal connection with each and every one of us. Corrine guided me through my high school years, academically and personally through some rather challenging times in my life. She was selfless, compassionate, and gifted in her ways of connecting with people. 

Amongst her teaching and coaching career, Murph was a single mother raising a child with special needs. Maya was born with a rare disease called Dup15q syndrome. The disease is a genetic disorder related to the 15th chromosome. The disease has many signs, symptoms, and characteristics affecting all forms of a persons life. 

Murph was told by doctors that Maya would never walk, talk, or have any resemblance of a normal life. Murph was the type of person that didn't accept no as an answer though. She believed that anything was possible, with the right attitude and help from the right people. This was the first time in my life I saw this type of attitude put in action, and come true...

I, and many of my dearest friends, got to experience Maya's first steps. I have had conversations with Maya in my many nights spent babysitting. Maya is an exceptional person, full of life and energy, and has broken all of the false limitations imposed on her from birth. She is living proof for me that anything is possible, sometimes it just requires a lot of grit! Murph ensured Maya's unprecedented progress with her relentless effort. She was a major advocate for special needs programs in public schools, and would aid other families in similar situations in her free time. She dedicated her life to helping others, especially her daughters.

Unfortunately, Corrine passed away in August 2022 due to an ongoing battle with cancer. She fought hard to prolong her life, for the sake of Maya and all other children with rare diseases. Murph fought hard everyday through intense medical treatments and pain, to ensure Maya would be set up with the care she would need. She dedicated her struggle to Maya, and the betterment of rare disease research.

That is why I am dedicating my struggle to Corrine. She is my inspiration to keep going, and never take no for an answer. I hope to honor her fight and legacy through my future, self-imposed struggles.

This fundraiser serves as an opportunity for me and you to help kids with similar conditions to Maya. Maybe even more so their parents, who are also struggling. Doing their best to give their children the best life they can possibly have, and who aren't willing to take no for an answer.

I want to deeply thank anyone who supports my efforts in honoring Murph and helping children like Maya. A small donation could bring comfort to struggling parents, or provide funding for the next scientific breakthrough.

If you are inspired to join me in my endeavors, I am happy to run alongside anyone willing to embrace the suck, whilst honoring the struggle.

As Murph used to say, people always need people,

So here's to Murph, Maya, and all who fight with a purpose,

We honor and support you.

Jacob Dionne

Former student and friend.