Great Strides
Determined to Succeed
“I called my husband and said, ‘You must see this.’”
Since the day she came home from the hospital, Julianne Miszk has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity. Born with a rare genetic disorder called Dubowitz syndrome, Julianne has struggled with many aspects of life. Yet, through running she has found an identity that has set her apart from her challenges. “I like most to run really fast and win medals,” says Julianne. When Julianne was in Grade 4 she brought home a cross-country permission form. Her twin sister, Emily, was concerned that the other children would make fun of Julianne if she competed, but Julianne was adamant that she wanted to try out. The following day Julianne’s mom, Bernadette Miszk, watched her run. “I called my husband and said, ‘You must see this,’” says Bernadette. Impressed by Julianne’s natural talent, her parents encouraged her to compete in cross-country and join the Niagara Region Athletics track team. Three years ago, Kathrine Switzer, author, commentator and running icon, was giving a speech for the Niagara Falls Women’s Half-Marathon when she was introduced to Julianne. “We spoke about how running gave me so much when I was her age and how it set me up for all kinds of challenges in life,” recalls Switzer. That day Julianne presented Kathrine with a letter describing her passion for running and the positive impact Kathrine’s speech had on her. “This wasn’t a frivolous fan letter or a selfie moment. We both felt we had a special bond,” says Switzer. “She began emailing me with reports of her races.”
For the past four years, Julianne has won gold at ofsaa in para-cross-country and has spread her passion for running to those around her. “She looks up races online and we run them together,” says Bernadette. The 18-year-old also works for her parent’s business, Betty’s Restaurant, busing tables.
In the fall of 2016, Julianne was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her jaw. Despite the side effects from the chemotherapy treatments, Julianne was determined not to allow a fifth ofsaa win to elude her. After realizing she would have an 11-day window between her chemotherapy treatments and the ofsaa championship, she started training. “The fact that she is running is quite amazing,” states Julianne’s high school coach and teacher Victor Pietrangelo, who is also a Niagara Falls city councillor. “She doesn’t complain about the pain she’s in. She has such a love for running that she chooses to run in pain rather than not run at all,” says Pietrangelo, who is Julianne’s guide in races. “At ofsaa, I could tell she was struggling and she wasn’t at her usual pace,” says Pietrangelo. “At one point, she stopped running and said to me, ‘I can’t,’ and vomited,” explains Pietrangelo. “I asked her if she wanted to quit. She said, ‘no.’” Julianne picked up her speed and finished in second place.
“I felt good about the silver. I worked hard to get that,” says Julianne.
On Nov. 16, 2016, Julianne underwent surgery to remove part of her jaw and replace the bone with a portion of her tibia, which may or may not affect her future in the sport. “I hope she will be able to run again – running is her outlet,” says Pietrangelo.
Julianne and her family are advocates for athletes with special needs and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Next year an annual scholarship in Julianne’s name will be awarded to an individual with a passion for running, academics and community service. “They are an example to the world,” states Switzer.
Although Julianne has many trials in life to deal with, she continues to motivate those around her. “Julianne is focused on overcoming barriers,” says Pietrangelo. “She doesn’t get brought down by the challenges she faces, but instead she finds a way to succeed. She gives me the notion that nothing is too difficult to overcome, and she inspires me to try harder in everything.” Jill Tham is a runner, writer, teacher and mother of three in the Niagara region.