Boston teacher going the extra mile to raise awareness for Down Syndrome

DEDHAM, Mass — Boston 25 News began following Caitlin Shanley in March 2021. That was the first time she ran through Boston. She stopped at seven houses along the way, each one the home of a student with Down Syndrome.

“My heart is just filled with so much joy and excitement. Everyone is asking me, ‘are you cold? are you sore?’ and I’m like, ‘I don’t feel anything right now but happiness!”

Shanley is a speech-language pathologist for Boston Public Schools. Every year around March 21st, She runs 21 miles to signify the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome.

“My students challenge themselves every day,” says Shanley. “If i can do one small thing that moves this thing further, I was like, I’ll challenge myself. I’ll see if I can do it.”

This year, Shanley challenged herself with a 3-day triathlon: 21 miles on a bicycle, 21 laps back and forth in a pool, and 21 miles on foot. Along the way, she always stops to see her students.

“It’s hard to put it exactly into words but when you turn the corner and you can hear the chanting or you can see them in the matching shirts that you’re wearing. It’s like everything has gone away. The wind, the pains I’m feeling in my body and everything is just right in the world.”

It surprises me but it’s also kind of wonderful because I think most people are good and this shows that.”

Since 2021, Shanley says she’s raised around 23-thousand dollars for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress.

She sees no reason to stop, and hopes to keep running for many years to come.

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