At INCIGHT, we are lucky to share office space with the Hood to Coast team; we get to hear a lot of inspirational stories about individuals and teams that come from all over the world to participate in “The Mother of all Relays” each Summer. After this year’s 42nd Hoodto Coast relay, we heard about a 12-year-old girl who participated in this world-renowned event—not just any 12-year-old girl, but a girl born with an obstacle that would most surely prevent her from ever running in a relay race. So we set out to find her and sit down with her and her family so that we could hear her incredible story; now, we’re honored to share this story with you.
Once upon a time, a young girl named Arya was born with an indomitable spirit hidden within her. Her journey, however, began with challenges that would have overwhelmed even the bravest. Shortly after her birth, Arya was diagnosed with severe Cerebral Palsy, leaving her nonverbal and physically disabled. The neurologist’s words echoed a daunting prognosis: "I have never seen such a widespread brain injury; I’m not sure how functional she can be." But Arya was destined to write a different story.
As Arya grew, she found strength and resilience in unexpected places. While she faced daily struggles, she was determined to be part of the world around her. She trained hard in her therapies, surprising everyone with each small but powerful step forward. Arya's parents supported her through endless therapy sessions, which her father Atikur Rahman admits was was one of the biggest obstacles of all.
Since Arya is nonverbal, her father was the one who shared her journey with us as she sat next to him, proudly wearing all of her various medals around her neck. We asked Atikur how their family leveraged their obstacles to get where they are today and he explained, “It seemed like all we were doing was therapy...all the time. It was exhausting with very little progress. But then, she started using a therapy trike, a special tricycle that gave her the mobility she otherwise lacked, and it changed everything.”
Arya’s trike became more than just a means of movement. It was her wings, her taste of freedom, allowing her to soar down paths others might take for granted. At first, she went short distances, but soon her enthusiasm took her further—one mile, then two, and then as many as she could handle. Her parents realized the joy and strength that her trike brought, so they borrowed a racing trike and entered her in local road races. Arya’s smile grew brighter with every race she joined, and her confidence soared as she crossed finish line after finish line!
"Arya’s trike became more than just a means of movement. It was her wings, her taste of freedom, allowing her to soar down paths others might take for granted."
Over time, Arya became a familiar face in marathons, duathlons, and relay races across the region.Her race log included the 2022 Portland Marathon, the Eugene Marathon, and the Hood to Coast relay, to name just a few. Each event brought Arya a sense of inclusion—each time, she had a chance to experience the thrill of racing alongside others despite her unique challenges. Over time, she became known as the “I’mPossible Girl,” to the point that she even races to her favorite tunes on her I’mPossible speaker, a handheld bluetooth speaker custom-painted specifically for her.
Arya’s journey continues to inspire everyone around her. She’s a reminder of resilience, strength, and the power of possibility—a true embodiment of“I’mPossible.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stephanie Hartgraves is the Director of Marketing at INCIGHT.
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