Buddy Walk 2010

Allie's Allies 2010

   



Help me walk, Dada



Granny, Paw Paw, Allie, Mommy and "Dada"

Allie's - and our- 3rd Buddy Walk was this month and we had so much fun celebrating Allie and Down syndrome in general.  My Mom - Allie's Granny - and Bill - Allie's PawPaw came to town to participate in the walk and we had such a wonderful time watching them with Allie over the course of several days. 



Allie and Nathan



As many of you know, The Buddy Walk was introduced several years ago and they are held all over the world.  The goal is primarily to raise awareness, acceptance and to provide advocacy for people with Down syndrome. We are not looking for a cure - there is no cure. Down syndrome occurs at conception and is all part of God's plan (in my opinion).  Some people feel a "cure" is to terminate a pregnancy. (Yes, GASP!!).  Some doctor's still today encourage this option as they have no idea how capable individuals with Down syndrome can be. (yes, another GASP). 

 

Allie's Buddy Jack



So, the Buddy Walk is vital to get the word out - to introduce ourselves and prove to everyone that people with DS are not disadvantaged. They are as different as everyone else is different from each other. We all have disabilities - things we aren't so good at and things we are good at. So do they.  People with DS may learn using different methods - or perhaps not.  Which, is not much different than any one else. They have just as many feelings and emotions as people without DS and they have goals and dreams, too. So, again, the Buddy Walk raises awareness and acceptance and hopefully opens doors to allow all individuals to obtain the jobs they want, go to the schools they want, live life as they want.  Who wouldn't want this, right?  So, to all those doctor's out there and individuals who clearly still "don't have a clue". I say ... get one! 



 

Granny, Mommy, Allie



Whew... not sure where that came from, but I'm off my soap box and back onto my nice cushy chair.  I guess I just felt that needed to be said, so I'll leave it.  But, back to our day... the weather was perfect - okay, a tad hot for Alabama in mid-October as I believe we were in the mid-80's. But, we had the largest turn out ever for our Buddy Walk.  Allie's Allies - our team - got even more organized this year and had more than just signs. We had a table and soft drinks and snacks and - compliments of Granny - we had a home-made Dora Cake! Dora is a favorite of Allie's and we enjoyed having such a celebrating Dora with us.  The cake was also delicious and gave us all a much needed snack after our walk. 

 

Jenny, Melissa and Hannah

- always there for us



In fact, our walking team consisted of about 30 individuals and Allie WALKED with us. Okay, she still held our hands, but she walked a good bit of it. It is so exciting to see the changes in her and they seem to happen almost daily now. She is really becoming a little girl and no longer a baby (sniff sniff).  Additionally, we had donations from over 80 people!!  We raised approximately $2,900! As a group, the PADs organization (Parent Advocates for Down Syndrome) raised over $104,000 and money is still coming in! All money raised stays here in Birmingham to help the Parent Support group (PADS) and to help fund the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic here at UAB (Birmingham).

Allie's friend, Madison



 It was such an exciting fund raiser and it was so rewarding getting donations from all over the country - from family, friends, friends from way back when, friends of friends, and people we don't really even know.  So many people love Allie and saw the importance of donating. We thank you so much for that!  We truly are blessed to have so many loving people in our lives. 

Neighbors make the best friends!

Kimberly and Kayley with Allie & I



Leah, Sheila, Allie and I.

 Our Buddy Walk is always held in October and we always welcome you to come join us and walk with us. Or... if you can't come to Birmingham, please attend a Buddy Walk in your town, you will have a wonderful time with some wonderful people!



Thank you to everyone that supported our team and walked with us and thought about us and wished us well. We really appreciate all the help you do to get the word out about Down syndrome.

Allie's Allies

What's a Buddy Walk, Mommy?
The Buddy Walk is a walk that we have once a year to walk with and celebrate people that have Down syndrome. It is a day that we want people like you to know that we accept you for who you are. It also helps us teach other people that don't know you that having Down syndrome is okay. October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. During this month groups all over the country walk to show they support, respect and accept people that have Down syndrome. We are walking in Birmingham, Alabama on your 11 month birthday - October 19th. We'd love to invite all of your fan club to join us, too. If they live too far away, they are welcome to support our cause by making a donation of any amount (every dollar helps and adds up) to your team, Allie's Allies.

What do we do with all the money? Can I buy a new Winnie the Pooh?
No, we can't buy anything with that money. The money goes straight to PADS - Parent Advocates Down Syndrome. That is the group we go visit every month. We learn all about Down syndrome and we meet other people with Down syndrome. It helps Mommy and Daddy a lot so we can learn the best ways to teach you things and how to find the best doctors for you. It helps you so that you can meet other babies your age, too.

Does anyone else get some of the money?

Yes, money also goes to the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB. It is only the 2nd of its kind in the nation! It will be a place where you can go when you get older to get medical help and perhaps learn skills you need to get a job and learn other things, too. It helps adults with Down syndrome right now, but it is brand new and needs money to put all the programs into place.

Will anyone come to the walk with me?
Yes, Allie. You have a lot of people that love you and they want the world to be a better place for you. If they can come, they will walk with you. In fact, we already have a bunch of people planning to walk with you!! We are really excited and they are, too!

What if they can't come to the walk?

We are asking them to make donations - they can do it online at the PADS website (see link to the side) or mail us their checks (made out to PADS of course).

What if they can't make a donation? Will you be upset?

No, I won't be upset. I understand people save their money and use it how they have planned to use it. I would ask them to consider adding our group as one of the charities they give to next year. But, most of all, I'd ask them to spread to the word to their friends and families that Down syndrome is not something to be afraid of. It is not as scary as they might think.

What is Down syndrome again? I forgot.
Down syndrome means that you were born with an extra chromosome - I call it your Superhero Chromo. This extra chromosome happened the second God started to create you and it is in every cell in your body. See, each cell in your body has 47 chromosomes instead of 46 like I have in each of my cells. Down syndrome is also called Trisomy 21 because the extra chromosome is usually on the 21st set of chromosomes. This extra chromosome has different effects on everyone with Down syndrome. Some effects are similar - which is why you may feel you look a little like someone else with Down syndrome, but some effects aren't similar. For example, you may learn to do something a lot sooner or later than someone else with 47 chromosomes. No one really knows what you will or won't be able to do. This is the same as any baby born with or without the extra chromosome. So, in the future, we will learn what your super powers are because of your extra Superhero Chromo. It is all rather exciting if you think about it!

So, everyone can help spread the word that people with Down syndrome are more like people that don't have Down syndrome than not alike, right?
Right! You sure are smart, Allie!

Okay, the Buddy Walk sounds like fun and thanks everyone for recognizing that I'm just like you, just a little younger.

Love and kisses from me, Allie B.