From Patient to Marathoner: Grace O. Runs to Give Back

When Grace Osborne lines up for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, she will be pursuing a lifelong goal. She will also be honoring the people who helped her regain the ability to learn, compete and confidently move forward with her life.

Grace, a northeastern Pennsylvania native and graduate of Scranton Preparatory School, is currently a student at the University of Pittsburgh. In 2018, however, her future suddenly felt uncertain after she sustained a severe concussion during gymnastics practice. The injury significantly disrupted Grace’s daily life. Activities that had once seemed simple became overwhelming.

“One of the moments I remember most was trying to bake a dessert with my dad, just so I could do something other than lie on the couch,” Grace recalled. “I quickly realized that I couldn’t read the recipe. The words were blurry, the lights were too bright, my head ached and I felt nauseous.”

The experience frightened her. If she could not read a recipe, Grace wondered how she would return to school, gymnastics or the other activities that had always been part of her life.

Her recovery required extensive rehabilitation, including speech therapy at Allied Services. Grace worked with speech-language pathologist Danielle Burrier to rebuild her cognitive skills, improve her memory and prepare for her return to school.

“Every appointment with Danielle was filled with optimism that I was going to get better,” Grace said. “She even walked through my class schedule with me to make sure I was completely prepared to begin high school at Scranton Prep. Her constant support and commitment to my recovery and success truly made all the difference.”

Progress did not happen all at once. Grace remembers moments when she questioned whether she would ever feel like herself again. She credits her care team and family, particularly her mother, with continuing to encourage her during the most difficult parts of her recovery.

“Their relentless support made my complete recovery and my ability to pursue everything I love possible,” she said.

That experience also helped Grace discover what she hopes will become her life’s work. After seeing the impact that compassionate, specialized care could have on a patient and family, Grace developed a strong interest in neuroscience and medicine. At the University of Pittsburgh, she is pursuing coursework in public health while gaining experience on an inpatient neurology and orthopedics unit at a Pittsburgh hospital.

She is also completing undergraduate research focused on the epidemiology of concussion and its effects on women’s health outcomes.

“My experiences as both a concussion patient and a student learning about the effects brain injuries have on broader populations have solidified my interest in becoming a physician,” Grace said.

Today, Grace is not only healthy enough to run - she is training to complete one of the world’s most celebrated marathons.

As a member of Team Allied Services, she will run 26.2 miles through New York City while raising funds to help other individuals access the rehabilitation and support that played such an important role in her own life.

“Running a marathon has been a lifelong goal of mine, and being able to do it in support of Allied Services is a truly meaningful moment for me and my family,” Grace said. “Without the treatment I received throughout my recovery, this goal would not have been possible.”

Having once been the patient working to overcome an unexpected injury, Grace understands how quickly life can change. She also understands the strength that can be discovered during recovery.

“The resilience I gained through my concussion recovery has carried me through many other challenges in life,” she said. “It will also carry me across the finish line of the New York City Marathon with Team Allied Services.”

Grace hopes her story will encourage young athletes who are currently facing injuries, uncertainty or a lengthy rehabilitation journey.

“The message I would give my younger self and other young athletes is that everything happens for a reason,” she said. “My injury was unexpectedly one of the best things that happened to me because it gave me purpose and direction in life.”

Eight years after beginning her recovery, Grace is returning to Allied Services in a new role - not as a patient, but as an advocate, fundraiser and marathoner.

“Because of this experience, I now have the great privilege of being part of Team Allied Services and giving back to others going through the rehabilitation that I once went through.”
You can support Grace and Team Allied Services here:
https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/grace-osborne