The Runner
I first heard Waldon’s story while photographing a public hearing organized by Miriam’s Kitchen and the Way Home Campaign. Anyone who has met Waldon or heard him speak in front of an audience knows how funny, engaging, self deprecating and honest his presentation was.
Waldon had experienced some tough times in the years prior to this speaking engagement: chronic homelessness, illness, and drug use that eventually lead to contracting HIV. While in treatment for a particularly bad relapse, Waldon found that he could keep his mind occupied by pacing around his hospital room and, when feeling better, the hospital grounds. This pacing slowly evolved into jogging, and Waldon’s physical and psychological health began to take a positive turn for the better.
This newfound focus on his health and well-being was complemented by the wrap around services of Permanent Supportive Housing. PSH allowed Waldon to focus on his health first and then concentrate on financial stability. The roof over his head gave Waldon the physical and mental space needed to kick his addictions. Running helped keep him motivated, and what started as a preoccupation became a new obsession.
Waldon became strong enough to run marathons. By the time I had met him, he had completed dozens of events around the country. The marathon community had almost become an extended family.
At this point, Waldon was also working as a part time case manager to help other District residents experiencing homelessness get connected to the social services that had such a tremendous impact on his life.
I was spellbound by his story and introduced myself after the hearing. I learned he was training for another year’s worth of marathons and I offered to document his summer training regiment. But trouble was brewing in the distance.
A nagging back problem had been getting worse, making his continued pursuit of marathon running almost impossible.
He powered through his summer training schedule anyway and I made several early morning visits to document his process. This included me following him on bicycle while he ran; speeding ahead to good locations and waiting for him to come through. Or following him with one hand on the handlebars and the other holding a camera up to my eye. It must have looked bizarre.
His back problems continued to worsen and his training devolved into physical and psychological therapy. There were days where he could barely walk.
He missed a number of his favorite local and regional events that summer but pushed himself to complete the 10k portion of the Marine corps marathon in September. This was a far cry to his highest achievements, but commendable considering the pain he was in.
Epilogue.
Waldon and I stayed in touch over the years as he fought through multiple surgeries to repair his back. He continued his work as a case manager for others experiencing homelessness and as a representative of the work and power of Miriam’s Kitchen. Being a friend of Waldon meant there was always a light of positivity or inspiration close by, no matter what you were going through. He was a constant source of inspiration.
We even collaborated on additional projects in support of Miriam’s Kitchen.
On April 24th, 2021, while walking with another case manager and advocate for the homeless, Waldon was struck and killed by a car whose driver was experiencing a medical emergency.
His death and that of his colleague has been a devastating blow to the greater Miriam’s Kitchen family. Waldon helped so many people in so many ways, and was continuing to improve upon his own health and well-being.
So much of the work he had planned to help others is left unfinished.
