Having heart in the right place

It’s always wonderful when people go out of their way to help others,

especially those who have difficulty without that help.

Grace Castro, the supervisor at AbilityFirst’s Newport-Mesa

After-School Center, completed the L.A. Marathon last week. But she

wasn’t alone. She pushed Kendall Milteer, an 11-year-old Costa Mesa

resident who suffers from tuberous sclerosis, throughout the 26.2

miles.

It doesn’t even matter that she finished the marathon. After all,

it was a team effort. They were in it together. Were it not for

Castro and others at AbilityFirst, Kendall and other children may

never had had the opportunity to partake -- and especially finish --

a marathon.

Castro’s efforts do so much to inspire others and help others.

Kendall was even nominated for the marathon’s Patsy Choco Courage

Award -- an honor that wouldn’t exist without Castro’s unselfishness.

“I work to try and bring out the best in every kid. I try to find

whatever it is that each child has and focus on it.”

That was what Castro said after choosing Kendall as her partner in

the race.

This wasn’t the first time Castro teamed to compete in a marathon

and it probably won’t be her last. We hope it isn’t.