As a young woman of few words, the nearly perpetual smile on Karen Dickerson’s face does most of the talking for her. In fact, it speaks volumes of her joy for life. 
Dickerson, 23, is not one to boast of her numerous accomplishments, which include running in the Boston Marathon and competing in Special Olympics World Games in Ireland and China.
The parishioner of Holy Spirit Parish in Annandale does not allow her intellectual disability to impede her burning desire to achieve her goals, which include running marathons — all 26.2 miles of them, and running them fast.
She completed the 2007 Boston Marathon in 3:24:58. “I like it. It’s fun and keeps me in shape,” said Dickerson about her love for running.
As a member of the Special Olympics Virginia team, Dickerson was selected as one of 11 Special Olympians to run the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 2007 Special Olympics World Games in China. Before flying to China, Dickerson was invited to the White House to carry the “Flame of Hope” into the Rose Garden, where she met President George Bush and first lady Laura Bush. It was a “cool” experience, said Dickerson, with a grin on her face.
Just like any serious marathon runner, Dickerson is determined, disciplined and motivated. Her goal is not to prove anything to the world, but simply to do what she loves. However, she surpasses the goals of many people who do not have physical or developmental disabilities. 
It was Nancy Julia who first discovered Dickerson’s running talent in a physical education class in middle school and encouraged her to hone her ability. She became the fastest female cross country runner in high school and won awards and accolades as an indoor and outdoor track runner at Thomas A. Edison High School in Alexandria.
“It makes me so proud to know her,” said Julia, who is still involved in Dickerson’s life. Every time Dickerson runs in a marathon Julia is close to her computer to keep track of the distance and speed of her former student. “It makes my heart go fast,” she said.
“People like Karen Dickerson are tougher than you can imagine,” said Rick Jeffrey, president of Special Olympics Virginia, who has known Dickerson for 10 years. Often times, people find it hard to get out of bed because they have a challenging day ahead of them. For people with intellectual disabilities that day is every day, said Jeffrey. Despite the challenges she faces, “She surprises me every day. That inspires me.”
Special Olympics, he said, is not “about being the best. It’s about being one’s best.” That’s what Dickerson strives to do, said her mother, Ernie. All four of her children have “God-gifted talents,” said Ernie, who is proud of all of her children. Her daughter, she said, has “chosen to develop hers to the max.” 
Dickerson ran her first marathon, the Marine Corps in Washington in 2005, and then in 2006, when she qualified for the Boston Marathon.
However, unlike Special Olympics events, there were no special assistants or aids for the runners during the Boston Marathon, said Jeffrey. “She was simply a runner in the marathon. She got no special treatment. She ran that baby like everyone else did. That’s the tale of the tape,” he said.
Since that time she has run the Richmond Marathon and is training for a marathon next month in Wichita, Kan. Her training regimen includes running 40 to 60 miles a week, which means she needs a new pair of running shoes every six weeks.
When she is not running, she is either working at Wegman’s Market, hanging out with friends or taking care of her dogs, Buster and Chaco. Dickerson also swims, bikes and competes in triathlons, but her real love is running.
While people who face intellectual disabilities are often judged by the world, “they do exactly what they want to do,” said Ernie. They simply enjoy life, she said. “It gives you a whole new perspective on life.
“They represent a segment of society that is overlooked and misunderstood. When given a chance they can make positive contributions,” she said.
During her brief remarks at the World Games in China last year, Dickerson encouraged her fellow Special Olympic athletes, “don’t let anyone say you can’t because if you have a dream and know you can do it, work hard for that dream and it will come true.”
Sometimes, however, it’s hard, Dickerson conceded. Does she ever want to give up? “No,” she said smiling and looking at her medals in her hand. 
While she runs, Dickerson is in the zone, but she’s never alone, she said. The Special Olympian often feels the presence of her guardian angel.
Her shy, but sweet laugh gives the impression that she’s hiding something. “There’s more going on in her brain than we know,” said Ernie. But then again, perhaps its something meant to be kept between her and her guardian angel.

Henrietta Gomes can be reached at hgomes@catholicherald.com.

 

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