Orlando resident

Michelle Nunez will tackle the Boston Marathon today, thanks to the the motivation of her 3-year-old son.

On the day that Michelle Nunez gave birth to her fourth child in an elevator, she went swimming.

Because Nunez does not like to wait for anything, even labor, she thought exercising in the pool would lessen the severity of any contractions. She misjudged the time and arrived at Winter Park Hospital after a — shall we say intense? — 12-minute drive from her family’s home in Orlando.

Nunez walked into the emergency room, fell on the floor and her water broke. She was placed on a gurney and headed to the delivery room when Jacob Nunez introduced himself to the world.

“We weren’t even checked in,’’ Michelle said. “I said, ‘Can you give me some medication or something?’ They said, ‘I’m sorry, ma’am. We don’t even know your name.’ I’m like, ‘Fantastic.’ ’’

Born with Down syndrome, 3-year-old Jacob is a special child with special needs. He is one of his mother’s big motivations as she prepares to run the Boston Marathon for the second time today.

NBC Sports Network will televise the 122nd annual race, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

“When he hugs you, you feel