To the Editor:

The Family of Alex Pateakos would like to thank all the dedicated individuals who contributed to Alex Pateakos’ 8th Annual Bike Run on Sunday, Sept. 14. Alex suffers from Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which leaves him in a wheelchair and unable to talk or walk but trust me – we always know what he’s thinking.

Alex, who lives in Marion, was diagnosed at 8 months old and his parents were informed that he would likely pass away by the age of 2, but because of great nursing and a rocking attitude Alex is now 10 and taking the fifth grade at Sippican Elementary in Marion by storm.

Each year, Tammy and Scott Foisy take up his Bike Run fund-raiser to help provide for things insurance does not cover as well as things Alex may need. Tammy, Alex’s former nurse, and Scott dedicate so much time to this as do their children who are there to help ever year. It’s an unbelievable amount of work and they do it with a smile. In addition to the Foisys, we wish to thank the Freetown VFW, Scott Reiniche from Pro Sound Entertainment and Easy 99.1 for the music for eight years now, Marianne and Mark Walker for cooking and managing the food, Lee Catanho and Lori Aquiar for volunteering every year, Bob McFarlin and everyone at Clement’s Marketplace in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and Mark Foisy for helping create the route and getting the route direction fliers printed.

You all make Alex’s life a better place and we appreciate your efforts very much. Thank you so much. See you next year and watch out, Alex is getting closer to being a teenager.  Look out middle school!

Family of Alex Pateakos