This December 1, 2013 at the Mandel JCC in Beachwood Ohio, One Determined Fat Woman on a Treadmill will complete a 27K run to honor her three daughters’ lives, deaths, and life through death. Six years earlier on Dec. 1, 2007, an electrical fire — which destroyed Roschelle Ogbuji's home in Shaker Heights — claimed the lives of her three daughters. Six-year-old Imose and 2-year-old Chika died in the fire. Fourteen-month-old Anya, who was transported to the Akron Children Hospital’s Burn Unit, lingered three days and was declared brain dead. "I decided to give hope to another mother who was praying for a miracle through a transplant by making the gift of Anya's organs. That single decision has given meaning and hope from an immensely painful moment. My darkest day on one end became two families’ miracles -- the beauty out of ashes."
Even though it’s been six years, the fall season is difficult for Roschelle because it commemorates both the anniversary of the girls’ deaths (December 1) and their birthdays. “I remember each year the anticipation of their births during the summers of my pregnancies. In the past, I dreaded this time and would sink into a slow depression as the days crept along to December 1st. This summer, a friend who was training for a marathon suggested I start to run to clear my head and fight the depression. I thought, ‘I hate running’ and ‘I'm too fat to be good at running,’ but the alternative wasn't great either, so I gave it a try.
“It was slow at first but I started to see the effects on my mood and energy. I'm not fast, but I am steady and consistent. After getting a few miles ‘under my fat,’ I then decided to run the total number of years of my daughters would have were they alive. After posting this on Facebook and getting such a remarkable response, someone asked if they could donate to my cause. I thought it would be nice to raise awareness and heal in the process. I know my story is incredible and unimaginable. I sometimes can’t believe I'm still here and -- but I am!
I have good days and bad days and even worse days, but I still get up and find a way to make it through. I lost weight, overcame a difficult divorce, and am now a single parent seeking viable employment. However, I know that there are people who have it worse than me. I have two amazing little people, a group of people who love me, and a faith that has kept me strong.
I don't want to just live a plain life but a life that could make a difference for someone who might not have hope for a better future because of their circumstances. There is so much I can say, but Nelson Mandela said it best in these two quotes:
There are few misfortunes in this world that you cannot turn into a personal triumph if you have the iron will, necessary skill, and hope.
There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
“Hope is a powerful tool when you have lost everything and are still standing. I made a decision to Live Life and Give Life.”
THE FUNDS
I plan to donate more than half of the proceeds to organ donation awareness and causes (i.e., Donate Life America, Lifebanc and the Donate Life Rose Bowl Float). The remaining funds raised will to go the arts and early childhood education. Anya's legacy is organ donation, Chika's is early childhood education, and Imose's is the arts.
