Kathy Stilwell Race Lends Perspective

Friends from as far as Hawaii, California and Oklahoma are coming to visit Kathy Stilwell on Saturday. It's that time of year.

In its sixth running, the Kathy Stilwell Lake to Lake 5K provides her the rare opportunity to see friends with whom she has lost touch. And an opportunity to make new friends.

''People read about (this race) and come out and run for her,'' said Bud Seaman, longtime friend and the driving force behind the inception of this event. ''One year might have been their first, and then they bring a friend. I didn't think it would grow to be this big.''

Stilwell, who graduated from Evans High School in 1973, was diagnosed with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis in 1982. It was a tough blow"By far, the best thing about it is the kids," he said. "There is no comparison in regards to the warmth that you feel inside of this plastic bad guy's costume than to see a child come up to you with the world of wonder in his eyes. Some kids aren't too sure about us when they see us in person. But to get one of these kids warm up to you and have them give you a high five … and to hear his trembling little voice when he shows you a 'Star Wars' action figure that he's had in his pocket since he was an even tinier little boy…there's no feeling in the world that compares to making a little boy or girl smile."