Buddy Walk Awesomeness.

Saturday, October 8th, 2011 was just plain AWESOMENESS.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day...100% sunny...in the 80s...and thousands of people celebrating AWESOMENESS...celebrating people with Down syndrome.

I just can't put into words what a special day it was.  Being surrounded by the love and inspiration that was there that day was overwhelming.  It is a privilege to be a part of the Down syndrome community.  These families are incredible...they are inspiring...they are awesome.  We are blessed.

I've been asked many times if Lauryn will be on the billboards next Fall.  While she won't be on the billboards around 465 in Indianapolis, Indiana, she will be on little billboards around our house...and many others - we printed out the billboards we created and turned them into signs to carry at the Buddy Walk! :)  

A few of the signs...printed out all 12 of the billboards...

There should be 9 beautiful, wonderful little girls on those DSI billboards in the Fall of 2012, as 9 families went together to form Buddy's Beauties, raising over $15,000 for Down Syndrome Indiana!  That's just plain awesome...and so is the fact that 9 little girls with Down syndrome will be sporting their extra chromosomes on huge signs around Indy next September and October.  Who knows...maybe they will need a 10th little beauty to even it out...we certainly know someone who would fit that description!

There were so many highlights to the day...actually to the whole experience, including the months leading up to the walk...

I have saved each and every email, note, etc. we have received with donations, notes of encouragement, etc.  I hold them with me and cherish them deeply...they are often the "pick me ups" I need on those "one of those days" days.  

We had a huge group of people walking with us...and more thinking about and praying for us on this special day.  

 

Watching our donations total continue to rise has brought many smiles...and even some tears (of joy)...to date we have raised over $1000 OVER our goal of $2500 ($3541.39 to be exact).  Awesome.  

The t-shirts were (are) awesome.  I love the front of the shirts, but I almost think the back is my favorite part...looking out to see a slew of people wearing "TOGETHER" on their backs...that just kind of sums up this whole new journey we've been on.  It's been TOGETHER, with so many wonderful, amazing, awesome people who "have our backs"...

A special moment of the day was getting to watch and listen to Chris Burke with Joe and John DeMasi perform.  Their message of love, inclusion and celebration ended the day on the perfect note.  Even better was getting to meet them and get pictures with Chris Burke.  

Prior to Saturday, Tyler (my oldest) spent some extra time researching about the life of Chris Burke.  All of his accomplishments and inspirations really resonated with Tyler this year...he is an inspiration to many - those with Down syndrome and those without.  Add Tyler to this list.  As we were leaving to head to the walk, I noticed Tyler carrying something...it was a picture of Chris Burke on heavy paper and a Sharpie. Watching Tyler's face as Chris signed his paper and spoke to him was priceless.  At times when I am plagued with worry about Down syndrome and what Lauryn's future holds, all I need to do is look at these pictures to remind myself that it's going to be okay.

This picture, too...it's more than okay...it's AWESOME. 

THANK YOU for making the 2011 Buddy Walk an AWESOME experience for all of us. 

 

"Thank You" doesn't seems to be enough.  

Please know that you have deeply touched our lives...you are making a difference.

 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

(21 hearts)