buddy walk '08

This year's Buddy Walk went well in spite of a teething Gabriel. Usually a patient boy, he cried when he didn't get his way, cried again when getting knocked down in the bounce house, and yet again when it was time to eat. (So much for the myth that individuals with Down syndrome are happy all the time.) I'm sure people were entertained at the sight of me climbing into the small opening of the bounce house to retrieve Gabriel in meltdown mode - then trying to get us both back out through said opening.

Everyone did have fun, though. We allowed the kids to stay with a buddy and do their own thing this year, so we didn't see much of them until 'check-in' time. We bought our littlest boy a monkey backpack (aka leash) to keep him close, and he happily walked the whole time. His friend, Emma, enjoyed taking control of the monkey tail, therefore Gabriel, for a time. Gabriel had his fill of high five's and ice cream and the girls even got their faces painted.

Thank you to all of our friends and family that came out on a warm October day to celebrate with us. Even though we were not able to visit with all of you as much as we would have liked, your presence was noted and very much appreciated.

friday flashback

Looking back at the Buddy Walk from 2005.

Yes, we chill with famous people (Chris Burke - of Life Goes On fame).

(It's not too late to register or donate for tomorrow's Buddy Walk! Just click on Gabriel's Gang on my sidebar.)

save the date

For those of you that like to plan ahead, I'm just giving a little heads up for the 2008 Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona Buddy Walk.

Our family has done this each year since Gabriel was born, and it's a good time for the family. This year it will be held on Saturday, October 25. Registration starts at 7:45 and the walk begins at 9:00am. The walk is about a mile and the pace is really more of a slow stroll. There are booths, activities, lunch - and it ends at 1:00.

As soon as I set up our team (Gabriel's Gang), you'll be able to register online (I've tried, but for some reason it's not showing up).

We do plan on having shirts made this year in honor of Gabriel if you want to order one.

I'll post more information when I get my act together, until then, just save the date!

buddy walk

Saturday was the annual Buddy Walk. This is the 4th one that our family has attended. It seemed like there were so many more people there this year than the last time I went and it was fabulous. It's nice to be among so many people who also know and love someone with Down syndrome.

Those that came to walk with us were Faith's family, our friends the Williams, and Austin & Amber (cousins). We appreciate more than I can put into words those that support us and Gabriel, whether it be by coming to the walk or donating online through our team "Gabriel's Gang".

This year Gabriel did most of his own walking. When he decided he'd done enough, he just stood in front of me and stopped so I could pick him up. Of course, they call it a "walk", but it's really more of a very...slow... stroll. Many people have posters or banners and have matching t-shirts for their whole team. Each year I have a new resolve to get together a big team and have really great matching t-shirts. As usual, next year is THE year!.... so plan accordingly. :)

The first year we went, Gabriel was just shy of 2 months old and I remember being apprehensive about seeing all the children and teens there with Down syndrome. This world with disabilities was still so new and I'm not sure I was completely over being a tad bit sad about our future that held so much of the unknown. In contrast, this year those faces with Down syndrome didn't seem so different to me and so obvious. I saw only beautiful children being celebrated and having a great time with people who love them. I guess that's what having a Buddy Walk is all about.

There were many activities there for all the kids to do. There were bounce houses, a rock wall, carnival style games, music, booths, and a raffle. Gabriel had the most fun, though, in the troughs of ice that held bottled water - he couldn't get enough.

I love this picture. A little background: Gabriel tries to hug everyone, usually his cousins. This is fine, but kids, particularly the littler ones, don't seem to warm to the idea very quickly - if at all. High fives and knuckles are usually a good substitute. While waiting in line for a bounce house, we met Brianna. She and her mommy were wearing cute "Brianna's Bunch" team shirts with her darling picture on it. She wanted to hug Gabriel, so I put him down and they hugged to their hearts content! Gabriel had found his "hug match". After the hug-fest they went in to high fives and knuckles!

This is us with Gina, the president of Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona. She was one of our first visitors at the hospital after Gabriel was born that came with a smile on her face and congratulations. It was such an emotional time for us and I will forever be grateful to her for taking time to come share her experience and love with a couple of strangers. Although I didn't fully understand at the time, she gave me my first glimpse into seeing that there were so many positive and good days ahead for our family.