MARATHON LOVE Chronicles a Couple's Miraculous Journey From a Paralyzing Accident to the Boston Marathon

MARATHON LOVE Chronicles a Couple's Miraculous Journey From a Paralyzing Accident to the Boston Marathon

- Hour-Long Special Following the Tragedy-to-Triumph Fairy Tale of Jamie and Lynn Parks Premieres Sunday, December 14, at 8 PM (ET/PT) on Discovery Health -

SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Just before her wedding day in 1987, Lynn Parks' dream of walking down the aisle was shattered when a devastating car accident left her comatose and clinging to life. Miraculously, she awoke seven months later to find that her fiance, Jamie, had never left her side. However, her struggle was not nearly over, as she had suffered a brain stem injury rendering her unable to ever stand or walk on her own again.

Fast-forward to 2008 - this amazing husband-and-wife team has now run more than 12,000 miles and completed several marathons - and are the proud parents of an 8-year-old daughter. On Sunday, December 14, at 8 PM (ET/PT), Discovery Health premieres MARATHON LOVE, an engrossing hour-long special that weaves together professional footage with Jamie's personal home videos to tell a tale of true love, perseverance and the power of the human spirit.

Even during the darkest days after the accident, Jamie's faith never wavered - and after seven years of grueling physical and speech therapy, he and Lynn finally walked down the aisle on their wedding day. An avid runner, Jamie began to push Lynn in her wheelchair as he ran the one-mile loop through their Chicago neighborhood. Soon after, the couple began entering races, eventually qualifying for the ultracompetitive 2008 Boston Marathon.

While the Boston Marathon was a lifelong dream for Jamie and Lynn, they will tell you that it doesn't compare with another miracle that occurred eight years ago. Doctors had told Lynn that because of her injuries, she would not be able to have children - but in 2000, Lynn gave birth to a healthy and happy girl, Annalyn. As a baby, Annalyn sat on her mother's lap as Jamie pushed them in more than 50 races. Now 8 years old, Annalyn shares her parents' passion and often accompanies them on their daily runs.

MARATHON LOVE is an inspiring account of a family coming together that serves as a moving reminder of the power of love and the strength of the human spirit.

MARATHON LOVE is a co-production between Discovery Health and LMNO. For Discovery Health, Wendy Douglas is executive producer, and for LMNO, Ruth Riven and Eric Schotz are executive producers.

About Discovery Health:

Discovery Health Media includes the Discovery Health and FitTV television networks and online assets including www.discoveryhealth.com, as well as its Continuing Medical Education (CME) business and Discovery's first stand-alone VOD service, Discovery Health On-Call. Discovery Health Media is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ:DISAD)(NASDAQ:DISBD)(NASDAQ:DISCK), the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

Source: Discovery Health

CONTACT: Katie Crockett of Discovery Health, +1-240-662-2707,
Katie_Crockett@discovery.com

Web Site: http://health.discovery.com/

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