Family overcomes challenges through running

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Alex Schneider with running coach Kevin McDermott.

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For some people, simply finishing a race—whether it be a 5K or marathon—is an accomplishment worth celebrating. There is perhaps no one who personifies this better than the Schneider family of Great Neck.

Husband and wife Robyn and Allan Schneider were at the Hamptons Marathon and Half-Marathon in Springs on Saturday morning, arriving bright and early more than an hour before race time with their twin sons, Jamie and Alex. Mrs. Schneider waited patiently at the finish line, camera in hand, for her son Alex to finish the 13.1-mile half-marathon with his running partner, Kevin McDermott. Later on, Jamie and Mr. Schneider crossed the finish together, sweating, tired and spent but with the sense of accomplishment and triumph they have discovered makes running a worthwhile pursuit.

Jamie and Alex were both born to be runners, it seems. Mr. Schneider says he remembers them chasing him at the beach as children and both parents recall that their teachers in school pointed out how much the boys seemed to enjoy running endlessly in circles around the gym. But Jamie and Alex were also born with autism. The 19-year-old twins are low on the spectrum, according to their parents, and struggle with everyday tasks that most people take for granted. But in the world of competitive running, they have certainly found their niche.

Alex won his age group in the half-marathon on Saturday, finishing in 1:30:38 (6:55 pace). The 50-year-old McDermott was at his side, as he is in every race, making sure Alex follows the course properly while offering any other type of support he may need. Alex and McDermott finished 21st and 22nd, respectively, with McDermott clocking in at the same time.

Jamie and Mr. Schneider finished further back, although Mr. Schneider is adamant that his son is capable of running a much faster time. The father son duo crossed the finish line in 2:37:12 (12:00 pace). The fact that Mr. Schneider was even competing was an impressive feat, considering he suffers from multiple sclerorsis, an affliction that makes running painful for him.

It seems that overcoming adversity has become a trademark of the Schneider family and through it all they’ve maintained a positive attitude. Rather than dealing with the news of their childrens’ autism by wallowing in self-pity, they were proactive, chartering a school for children with autism—The Genesis School in Plainview—and also creating the Blazing Trails 4-Autism 4-Mile Run, which will take place for the second time on Sunday, November 8, at Great Neck South High School. Mrs. Schneider planned and put together the race last year while she was in chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.

Despite all the obstacles life has thrown at their family, both Mr. and Mrs. Schneider agree that finding running as a outlet for their boys was one of the happiest discoveries of their lives.

“It’s so natural to them and they have so much energy, so it’s a great release,” Mrs. Schneider said before the marathon last week. “They’re always happy and smiling.”

Alex, in particular, took to running so quickly that in a short time, he became too fast for Mr. Schneider to run with. Because the boys cannot run alone, finding someone who could not only keep pace with Alex but also adapt to his behaviors and needs and who, in turn, Alex would feel comfortable with, was a challenge for the Schneiders. Both boys initially were part of the Rolling Thunder running club for children and adults with developmental disabilities and through that group, they met McDermott, who lives in West Islip. The Schneiders describe McDermott as an “amazing” person who volunteers his time during the week to go on training runs with Alex and also runs with him in competitive road races, which the Schneiders attend on a nearly weekly basis. When McDermott isn’t available for training runs, Mrs. Schneider rides her bike alongside her son.

Because both Alex and Jamie are very limited in terms of verbal communication, running with them can be challenging at times and Mr. and Mrs. Schneider say that being able to pick up on their non-verbal cues that something may be amiss, such as a cramp or any type of discomfort or frustration, is crucial. But they agree that any difficulties or challenges they face in that department are far outweighed by the benefits and difference they have seen running make in their life as a family.

“It gives me a connection with him that I don’t get in any other way,” Mr. Schneider said of his runs with Jamie. “We can’t talk about baseball teams.”

Mrs. Schneider agrees and said she gets the same feeling when she’s riding her bike alongside Alex.

“It’s like nothing else is going on in the world,” she said. “That’s our time together. They’re doing something they enjoy so much and it’s just a wonderful feeling.”