Ainsley’s Angels

A question that we hear a lot at events is, “Who is Ainsley?” People see our gear and want to know. They expect us to turn around and point out someone in our group. Instead, we get to explain how a little girl with a beautiful smile inspired her family to spark a movement that has changed the lives of thousands of people across the nation. Whether it be through rolling, running, volunteering, book readings, or witnessing our members at an event, people have been changed. Some of us never had the honor of meeting Ainsley in person, but the course of our lives has been forever altered nonetheless. On February 23, 2016, she completed her earthly race, and we continue to honor her-through advocacy, education, and celebration. Ainsley lives on through all of us: every smile, hug, high five, the joy on the faces of caregivers, the rejuvenation of the athletes as they embrace a new reason for running, the tears coursing down cheeks as emotion swells, laughter, and every memory we make as a family-she is there-smiling down on all of us. So please continue to ask, “Who is Ainsley?” Ainsley is the daughter of Kim and Lori Rossiter. Kim, or ‘Rooster’, is a retired Marine Corps Major. Born in the middle of three children in 2003, Ainsley, was diagnosed with Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD) just before turning four years of age. INAD is an extremely rare terminal illness that has slowly caused global paralysis. When Ainsley went for her first jog during a local road race in 2008, she gave a radiant wind-induced smile that anyone would envy. In an instant, running provided the family with a therapeutic means to fight the devastation associated with learning and trying to live with the fact that sweet Ainsley had a terminal illness that would eventually take her to heaven in February of 2016. Mission: Together, We Shall educate, advocate and celebrate inclusive communities while connecting everyone through empowerment and belonging. Vision: Inclusion without limits.