On the weekdays, Tanya McGee is the executive director of the Imperial Calcasieu Human Services authority. She and her team manage all of the state and federally funded programs for mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities in Southwest Louisiana.

Tanya’s young cousin Ainsley was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition and spent much of her life wheelchair bound and without speech. Ainsley’s dad, Rooster, started to push Ainsley in races and marathons, which she loved. It brought their family closer and gave them a way to spend recreational time together.

Ainsley has since passed away, but she inspired her family to build a legacy for kids with disabilities around that same idea – creating a sport that families could do together. They founded Ainsley’s Angels, which provides adaptive equipment needed for angel runners (able-bodied runners) to push athlete riders (children with disabilities) in road races across the nation.

Tanya has been a part of Ainsley’s Angels since the beginning, leading an ambassadorship program that has led to 62 Ainsley’s Angels chapters in 27 states across the country. She personally has pushed athlete riders in more than 100 race events. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm are inspiring, and her love for all kinds of children makes them, in turn, love her back.

Children with disabilities often sit on the sidelines of athletic events. But Ainsley’s Angels puts them front and center, builds self-esteem and gives families a positive conduit for playing together. Today, thousands of families are participating in road races each year.