Buddy Walk® Arizona

We are walking today to stand with my daughter Abby or who I refer to as my Booboo. She is a 15-year-old young lady with Down Syndrome.

We did not know about Abby’s diagnosis until she was born. There definitely was a period of adjustment for us. I grieved for her, not knowing what kind of life she would have. The last 15 years has taught me so much more than I ever thought I would learn about patience, love, freedom, and perspective. Abby is so much more than I could have imagined. She has opened up my tiny black heart!

Everyday tasks have not come easily. She has undergone open heart surgery and two rounds of chemotherapy from Leukemia. Abby fights for everything that she has, and I don’t mean this in a traditional sense. She just wants what everyone else wants in this lifetime. She has to push to her limits to achieve those dreams: dreams of friendship that is hindered by speech delays and social judgement; dreams of college that is hindered by cognitive delays; dreams of dancing and gymnastics that is hindered by physical delays. Abby does not “fit in” with typical 15-year-old peers. However, she still wants to be included. DS Networks provides opportunities for Abby to create friendships and advocates for people like my daughter to be included. The connections with other families help me when the world is not kind to my daughter. When I am feeling defeated, we will attend an event and everyone is so welcoming towards Abby and my heart feels lighter. I am walking today to support a great organization: DS Network that advocated not only for my daughter but for all individuals Down Syndrome and their families.

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Join Buddy Walk® Arizona and support people with Down syndrome in our community. Your support of the Buddy Walk®, either by walking or by making a donation, will help honor and celebrate people with Down syndrome.