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Couple seeks to help others through challenge |
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Nick and Lindy Allen of Longmeadow are in the planning stages of the first Sean Allen Challenge to honor their son who passed away in 2011. Sean Allen was a huge Red Sox fan and his parents always loved this photo of him at the ballpark.
Reminder Publications photo by Lori Szepelak
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April 23, 2012
By Lori Szepelak
lorio@thereminder.com
LONGMEADOW — They were called "Team Allen."
Sadly, last June, Lindy and Nick Allen's only child, Sean, passed away from esophageal cancer, at the age of 27. To keep Sean's memory alive and to help others who might be experiencing the same loss, they are planning the first annual Sean Allen Challenge — a 5K run and a 1.5-mile walk. The event is planned for Sept. 22, beginning and ending at St. Mary's Church on Longmeadow Street.
On a recent weekday evening, the couple shared their favorite stories of Sean and how their faith kept them going even on the darkest days. Lindy Allen noted the Rev. Francis Reilly of St. Mary's Church was particularly a godsend, as well as the many parishioners of the church who reached out and "embraced" them.
During this past Easter season, Nick Allen also officially became a member of the church, completing the parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program, under the direction of the Rev. James W. Longe of St. Mary's. Lindy Allen was her husband's sponsor.
"It was time for me to join the church," Nick said, noting that Lindy and Sean often attended the 7 a.m. weekday Mass.
Lindy said she sought solace for months by sharing Sean's highs and lows through CaringBridge, a website that "connects family and friends when health matters most."
"Sean's determination, hope, faith and courage were inspiring," she said, noting that he also had cerebral palsy, however, that never stopped him from living life to the fullest.
The Allens have spent most of their lives living on Cape Cod, however, they chose to move to Western Massachusetts in May of 2010 to be closer to Sean since he felt at home in Springfield after graduating from Springfield College with a degree in sports management.
"We wanted to be closer to Sean and he wanted us closer to him," Lindy said. Sean was diagnosed with cancer on July 9, 2010.
He was his happiest when he landed a sales position for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, only to find several months later he would be laid off from his dream job.
With Sean unable to find a job, Nick, an accountant, hired his son as his bookkeeper which allowed both father and son to spend more quality time together.
"He was very focused when he was working," Nick said.
The couple also noted that Sean was a "huge sports fan," with the Patriots and Red Sox being his favorite teams. They have photos throughout their home of Sean at the games with family and friends. He was someone who lit up a room with his smile and his sense of humor, Nick Allen said.
Lindy Allen echoed those sentiments and noted it is important to see past someone's disability since it's what is "inside" that truly matters.
"I told Sean how perfect he was," Lindy Allen said, holding back tears as she recounted the morning she and Nick had to let Sean pass.
"Sean asked me, 'Do you know how it feels to know you are going to die?'" she said.
Lindy Allen said she told Sean she didn't know what he was feeling; all she could express was her feelings as a mother who was going to lose her only child.
"I told Sean that this life on earth isn't the end and I know there is something better out there ... something wonderful," Lindy said. "I never could have let go of my son if I didn't believe that."
Nick Allen noted that the Sean Allen Challenge will promote the value of disabled individuals through education and individual needs.
"Sean was an eternal optimist," he said. "He taught us so much about life."
Joanne Denver of Springfield, a local runner and friend of the Allens, will help the couple organize the fall event.
"Joanne has been wonderful offering to lend her support, as well as our many neighbors to ensure the success of the event," Lindy said.
The Sean Allen Challenge blog is currently under construction with the assistance from Cole Rogers, an information technologist who works at Western New England University in Springfield. Rogers also completed the RCIA program with Allen during Easter.
In the coming weeks, the Allens hope to have the website complete with all the pertinent information about the challenge. Visit www.seanallenchallenge.org for more details.
Perhaps Sean's lasting legacy will be the life lessons that he passed on to those who knew him best: friendship, love, compassion, acceptance and endurance.
"He worked very hard to teach us all right up until he became too weary from his illness, the little 'c,'" Lindy said.
The Allens had received a beautiful message that had kept them going during Sean's final 10 months: "Pray for a miracle or pray for a happy death, either way Sean wins." That one message helped the couple persevere, as well as receiving support from family and friends who reached out and provided a healthy dinner, ran errands and took Miss Hope, Sean's golden retriever puppy, on leisurely strolls around the neighborhood.
"Ask for what you need," Lindy said. "So many people want to help ... give them a job."
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