Following the loss of her cherished brother to Lou Gehrig’s disease, one dedicated mother from Plano discovered her passion for running.
by Karyn Brodsky
When life presents challenges, many people’s initial reaction is to escape. However, for Ginny Selec, “running” became a literal option. Instead of shying away from difficulties, Selec chose to confront them head-on, and now, over a decade later, she has proudly completed her 50th marathon!
At 40, Selec, who serves as a 2nd grade teacher and team leader at Mathews Elementary School for two decades, participated in her first marathon to support a friend battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After completing the race, she told her husband Dan, “I’m happy I did it, but I won’t do it again!” However, everything changed when her brother Trey received a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In January 2006, Selec entered the Inaugural Goofy Race-and-a-Half Challenge at Disney World—the first of many races run in honor of her brother. “What better place than Disney?” Selec reflects. “My brother adored Disney.” Through sponsorships for her runs, Selec successfully raised nearly $20,000 to support her brother’s children’s education. This served as a pivotal moment in her life, transforming her running into a tribute to her brother and ultimately a remembrance of him.
Today, Selec continues to run in memory of Trey, participating in events organized by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This year alone, she raised $8,400, with an ambitious goal of reaching $10,000 next year. Over her journey, she has completed three Dopey races (a combination of a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon over four days), 11 Goofy races (a half-marathon and marathon in two days), 50 marathons, 53 half-marathons, along with numerous other competitions. Selec has participated in every Goofy race since it started and proudly holds the official Disney title of “Perfectly Goofy.” She celebrated her 50th marathon in New Orleans in February 2016, an experience she described as “incredibly emotional.”
Caleb, Cody, daughter-in-law, Lindsay, and husband, Dan.
Beyond honoring her brother, Selec also dedicates her efforts to Autism-related initiatives, as her youngest son Caleb was diagnosed at just two years old. “Initially, I wondered why this happened to us, why our child? Now my mindset is, why not us?” Selec reflects. She observes that Caleb has positively impacted her other two sons, Tanner (25) and Cody (20); in fact, her eldest son and niece are pursuing careers as speech pathologists. “Caleb is such a gift,” Selec asserts. “He teaches us valuable lessons every day.”
Despite their pride, Selec and her husband continue to have concerns about Caleb’s future independence. Driven by their worries, they co-founded the nonPareil Institute, which aims to train young adults on the Autism spectrum to prepare them for the workforce, including plans for a supervised residential center that fosters a sense of community (see related story here).
Through all these challenges, Selec has demonstrated remarkable strength, crediting her mother—who single-handedly raised five children after Selec’s father died in a 1969 plane crash—for that resilience. “My mother instilled in us the values of love, responsibility, forgiveness, and perseverance.”
Reflecting on her acts of service, Selec states, “It sets a powerful example for my kids and for my students. Life isn’t about what you gain; it’s about what you give back—not only financially but also with your time.”
In recognition of her unwavering commitment to running for causes that matter, her boundless hope and compassion, and her dedication to the community and family, Rodrigosaffiliates Magazine is proud to bestow this month’s V.I.P. award to Ginny Selec.
The VIP (Very Inspiring Parent) Award celebrates both everyday and extraordinary heroes in our communities—those whose perseverance, moral integrity, and bravery not only inspire others but also highlight the importance of family and community amidst life’s challenges. Rodrigosaffiliates will present the honoree with an exquisite crystal award and make a donation to a charity of their choice. Each issue of Rodrigosaffiliates magazine features one VIP award recipient and showcases their story on Rodrigosaffiliates.com.
CLICK HERE For complete details or to nominate or email Tricia@Rodrigosaffiliates.com.
