Anne Vyalitsyna ran the NYC marathon on November 1 on behalf on "Achilles International" which is a worldwide organization that encourages people with disabilities like paralysis, visual impairment, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, amputations, and traumatic brain injuries to participate in running with the general public.
Anne guided Alexander Dmitriev from Russia for the entire length of the marathon. He participated in a wheelchair.
Achilles International's story:
In 1976, Dick Traum, an above the knee amputee, found himself approaching middle age and out of shape. After joining a local YMCA, Dick began running – small distances at first and then, eventually several miles. Within a year, Dick became the first amputee to run the New York City Marathon. The experience was life changing, bringing a powerful sense of achievement and self-esteem. In 1983, seeking to provide that same opportunity to other people with disabilities, Dick created the Achilles Track Club, now called Achilles International.
Today, this non-profit organization has chapters and members in over 70 countries. Every day, in parks, gyms, and tracks all over the world, Achilles provides athletes with disabilities with a community of support. Able-bodied volunteers and disabled runners come together to train in an environment of support and community. Within this community, runners gain measurable physical strength and build confidence through their sense of accomplishment, which often transfers to other parts of their life.
Over the years, Achilles has also developed specialized programs for children and war veterans. Achilles Kids provides training, racing opportunities, and an in-school program for children with disabilities, while our Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans program brings running programs and marathon opportunities to disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
While their programs focus on athletics, the truth is, sports are simply the tool for accomplishing their main objective: to bring hope, inspiration and the joys of achievement to people with disabilities. Nothing illustrates this more than their signature event, the Hope and Possibility Five-Miler. In this race, able-bodied and disabled athletes participate side-by-side and, with several disabled award categories, it puts a first place win within the grasp of all runners.
Anne has a well deserved reputation for being the nicest model in this business. Her kindness has touched me in a personal way. My uncle James, my fathers brother, died of multiple sclerosis before I was born. I was named after him. My uncle Tommy, my mothers brother, died of ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gherig's Disease last year. Also, both my father and brother are war veterans. I admire Anne for generously donating her time and energy to Achilles International, a charity that helps people with MS, ALS as well as war veterans gain strength, hope and dignity.
Anne is a real beauty - on the inside and on the outside.
Sølve Sundsbø photographed Anne Vyalitsyna for the Sonia Rykiel for H&M Holiday 2009 campaign on Sep 2, 2009 in London.
Sonia Rykiel for H&M Holiday 2009 campaign
Model: Anne Vyalitsyna
Photographer: Sølve Sundsbø
Location: Big Sky Studio, Studio #2, 29-31 Brewery Road, London N7 9QH
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