Our Inspirational Family for the 2010 Passion for Life Run is the Landry Family.  Genika Landry (5), a Kindergartner at Country Oaks Elementary has suffered from severe food allergies since birth.   In July 2008, Genika was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy.  In an effort to learn more about HSAN, Genika and her parents traveled to the NYU Dysautonomia Center in New York City in April of 2009.  While there, the medical staff confirmed that Genika not only suffers from HSAN but she also has another rare condition called Behcet's Syndrome. Currently there are no treatments or cures for these conditions that cause: an inability for Genika to feel if she is having an allergic reaction, extreme temperature fluctuations, insensitivity to pain, ulcers throughout the body, and reduced ability to cry or sweat.  All of the profits from the run/walk that are going towards U of M C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital will go towards HSAN and Behcet's Syndrome research.

Paul Landry (Father) is the Director of Employment Programs at UCP of Metro Detroit.  Paul works hard in his personal and professional life as an advocate to promote awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities.  Kim (Mother) has been a special education teacher in the Huron Valley School District for more than 10 years.  Paul and Kim have been working on educating people about Genika’s illnesses since her diagnosis.  Genika’s older brother Spencer is a third grader at Country Oaks Elementary.

PASSION

5K ¨ 5 Mile Run ¨ Walled Lake, MI